Sonnenglas® Social Impact
Giving Back to Local Communities
Stories of Light. More Than Just a Light.
In a world where we often take light for granted, Sonnenglas is bringing it precisely to the places where it's needed most. When the sun sets in the evening, every light source tells its own story. It's the story of a mother reading to her children without having to balance a sooty candle in the dim light. Or the tale of a small business owner who, during evening power cuts, isn’t forced to close up early but instead can keep working and sustain his livelihood. Especially in regions like South Africa, where the sun dips below the horizon as early as six o’clock year-round, light is far from a given. Often, the day is cut short the moment darkness falls, and everything comes to a halt until dawn breaks, as if half the day is lost.
Small Moments. Big Impact.
These quiet, touching moments are where light creates new possibilities: learning, reading, working, coming together. Anyone who has ever faced a sudden power outage knows how precious every extra speck of light can be. It offers security, extends the day, creates new opportunities, and is therefore so much more than mere practical lighting.
With our solar solutions, we strive to make this a reality: bringing light into the world. Our solar lights provide the freedom to shape your day. Because with every Sun Jar we send out into the world, a new story begins. It doesn’t just illuminate a space; it awakens a tale waiting to be told, where life no longer ends with the setting sun.
Handcrafted in South Africa. More Than Just a Job.
At Sonnenglas, the well-being of our employees is particularly important to us. Our workshop in Johannesburg is not just a workplace; it’s a space for growth, development, and equal opportunity. We focus on creating high-quality, handcrafted products, but equally, we emphasize a work environment where our over 50 staff members can truly thrive. Safety and fairness are our top priorities. Our commitment goes well beyond standard practices, ensuring that all employees are not only well-compensated but also respected and supported.
✓ Outstanding Compensation
Starting salary is more than twice the local minimum wage
✓ Health Benefits
Subsidized private health insurance
✓ Flexible Return
Flexible Return Options after Maternity Leave
✓ Educational Support
Education Grants and Access to Internal and External Training
✓ Microloans
Access to Microloans and Support with UIF Applications
✓ 40-Hour Work Week
40-Hour Work Week with Paid Overtime
Diversity and Equal Opportunity
We are proud that 75% of our workforce is made up of women: all five department heads are female, as well as one of our two lead production managers and our supply chain manager. For us, equality is not just a buzzwor, it's a way of life. There is no gender pay gap here; everyone receives equal pay for equal work, regardless of external characteristics.
We are also dedicated to uplifting socially disadvantaged groups. That’s why our factory is strategically located in Lorentzville, a district of Johannesburg plagued by extremely high unemployment rates. With youth unemployment around 62.10% (as of June 2023), it's a significant challenge. 90% of our employees come from these structurally underprivileged communities and were previously unemployed. We offer them not just a job, but a new outlook on life.
Fair Compensation
The starting salary for unskilled workers at our company is more than double the local minimum wage and exceeds the calculated "Living Wage" for South Africa. The "Living Wage" is a concept that describes the income necessary to meet basic living costs, including food, housing, education, and healthcare. In many parts of South Africa, typical wages fall far short of this standard. That is why it’s especially important to us that our salaries surpass these criteria.
All employees work a 40-hour week, which is not a standard practice in South Africa. In many industries across the country, longer working hours of 45 hours per week or more are the norm, often without adequate overtime pay. With us, any overtime is voluntary and is, of course, compensated.
Supporting Young Talent
We place significant emphasis on hiring and nurturing young individuals. Many of our employees do not have formal training; at Sonnenglas, everyone gets the chance to learn on the job. To acquire valuable skills, we offer internal and external training sessions, access to education grants, and even microloans for personal projects.
Flexible return options after maternity leave and subsidized private health insurance are also crucial to us, as they support a healthy work-life balance.
Additionally, we provide access to education spaces with computers and courses, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to further their education. We invest in training our teams, creating a dynamic work environment where young talent can grow and evolve.
Fair Trade. More Than Just a Promise.
At Sonnenglas, fair trade isn't just a buzzword; it's the foundation of everything we do. Since 2019, we have been certified as a recognized supplier by the 'Weltladen-Dachverband', marking a significant milestone in our quest to promote sustainable and equitable trade. However, our commitment to fairness and sustainability started long before this certification. Our standards go well beyond the formal requirements of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). We prioritize transparency, ethical business practices, and sustainable methods.
Transparency and Accountability
We regularly undergo rigorous audits to ensure our practices are transparent and responsible in every respect. These frequent evaluations by external parties affirm that our dedication to fair trade is not mere lip service. As an active member of the SEND network, which advocates for social innovations and sustainable economic models, we collaborate with other pioneers in fair trade.
Exceeding Standards
Our fair trade approach far surpasses the basic requirements of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). We offer our employees numerous additional benefits that go beyond the conventional standards - from subsidized insurance to extensive educational and training opportunities, as detailed above.
Local Development
A pivotal part of our strategy is collaborating with local small businesses in Africa to bolster local commerce. We focus particularly on partnerships with regional artists and craftsmen. These collaborations allow us to incorporate the cultural diversity and creativity of our communities into our products, while simultaneously creating jobs and economic opportunities locally.
Sonnenglas Factory. More Than Just a Manufactory.
Our production facility in Johannesburg, set within the inspiring surrounds of Victoria Yards, embodies our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Here, where creativity and community converge, we craft our high-quality Sonnenglas products. From assembling the electronics and threading the glass bodies to the complete assembly of our SOMOs and Sun Jars, everything happens right here. The manufacturing of plastic parts via injection molding is also an integral part of our local production.
Victoria Yards
A Creative Hub Victoria Yards is not merely a production site; it’s a vibrant hub for creative endeavors. Amidst urban gardening, arts, and crafts, we collaborate closely with local organizations on the premises such as Makers Valley, SayYouth, Timbuktu in the Valley, and Harambee. Through community projects like workshops where children paint solar lanterns or introductory internships providing insights into our factory life, we actively engage in tackling youth unemployment.
Lorentzville
A Community with Heart Our Sonnenglas Factory is purposefully located not in a traditional industrial zone, but in Lorentzville, a neighborhood that struggles with poverty, where our presence can make the most impact. Through not only creating local jobs but also installing a solar power system on our factory's roof, we regularly assist our neighbors with power when the local grid fails.
Open Doors
Everyone is welcome Transparency is a given for us, which is why our factory in Victoria Yards is open to visitors. We warmly invite you to visit and see firsthand how our products are made. Victoria Yards offers a multitude of experiences: from tours to arts and crafts markets and meals made from locally sourced ingredients.