Madiba Challenge x Sonnenglas® - The Power of Sport and the Sun
What unites Sonnenglas® with the Madiba Challenge? A shared vision of sustainability and social impact. And that's how our partnership was born. With our donation of 120 solar lanterns to the Langa Township, we can directly support the young people affected by the frequent power outages in Cape Town. The solar jars provide a reliable source of light, allowing the children to study and complete their homework in the evening.
Many of the youths in Langa live in precarious conditions: some families reside in shelters made of corrugated iron, containers, or simple social housing, often without proper sanitation facilities. Our solar jars can make a small but meaningful difference here. The children’s reactions speak for themselves, as Clarisse, Project Manager at the Madiba Challenge, shared in an interview: “The kids were so happy to receive the gifts. They were fascinated by the object, impressed by the design, and once they understood how the solar lamps worked, they were absolutely thrilled.”
Langa, the oldest township in Cape Town, means "sun." It was founded in 1927 after the Urban Pass Laws forced Black South Africans into designated townships. Langa was one of the first places where Black residents of Cape Town were forcibly relocated during apartheid. Today, around 52,000 people live there.
The solar lanterns stand as a symbol of hope for a bright future. Clarisse explains, “When you see all these kids in Langa, you see the light that shines from them. These lamps are meant to light their path.” That’s the goal of the project: to provide children and young people with the opportunity to move forward through education, sports, and a community that shows them solidarity and kindness.
Our Call to Action: Support for the Madiba Challenge
The Madiba Challenge is looking to grow! The first phase of building a sports and arts center has already been completed, but there are further plans to expand and create a sustainable community center that will accommodate all the children in Langa. To realize this vision, the Happy Feet Youth Project needs financial support and your active involvement. If you’re as excited about this idea as we are, you can support the project through donations. Or you’re encouraged to get directly involved by participating in daily activities on-site, joining the educational programs, or providing resources and materials for them.
In other words: We want to draw attention to an important cause, motivate everyone to engage alongside the Madiba Challenge, and raise awareness of deep social inequalities to promote values like hope, resilience, community, and love.
The Madiba Challenge and Sonnenglas®' contribution demonstrate how, through collective efforts, it is possible to create a sustainable and hopeful future for young people in South Africa. Together, we can illuminate lives and spark positive change.
Photos: ©Happy Feet Youth Project / ©La Clé Production