“Our One Million Lightbulbs programme will create jobs for SMEs while advancing the sustainability agenda”

Exclusive interview with Sibusiso Kekana, CEO of Riverside Sustainable Solutions & Infrastructure Skills Developers and Acting General Secretary & Membership Organiser of the Siyakha Federation of Builders.

Interview summary:

Sibusiso Kekana, CEO of Riverside Sustainable Solutions and Infrastructure Skills Development, outlines his mission to bring sustainability into rural and township communities. His initiatives include solar installations at schools in the Eastern Cape and the ambitious One Million Lightbulbs programme, replacing outdated bulbs with LEDs to save energy and create jobs.

Partnering with TVET colleges, municipalities and international organisations, Kekana emphasises training young people to conduct energy and water audits, embedding green building principles and fostering local employment. He calls for global collaboration to drive sustainability, preserve resources and empower communities through practical, impactful projects.

Thank you for joining us. Let’s start with some background on you.

My name is Sibusiso. I am the CEO and founder of Riverside Sustainable Solutions and our NPO arm, Infrastructure Skills Development. I have spent the past 15 years in the construction industry, from maintenance work to larger construction projects. I am also active in the social entrepreneurship space through our NPO.

You have several projects that focus on sustainability in the energy and building sectors. Please tell us more.

Our role in the sustainability ecosystem is to bring the latest technologies and expertise into township and rural areas, focusing on energy efficiency and water conservation. Through our NPO, we train students at TVET colleges to conduct energy audits, starting with their own households, creating sustainable job opportunities.

We are currently working on projects in the Eastern Cape, including installing solar systems at high schools in Komani and Queenstown. After conducting energy audits, our aim is to roll out similar projects in public and private schools, particularly boarding schools. We also handle installations, partnering with TVET colleges to transfer skills and raise awareness.

Another major initiative is the installation of one million LED light bulbs in households, replacing older bulbs to save energy. This project will stimulate township economies and provide practical work experience for students and young people.

How important is it to get this message out to rural areas?

Our focus on rural areas and townships stems from the fact that sustainability conversations and practical implementations are often absent there. We see both commercial and social opportunities—creating jobs, reducing household costs, and conserving energy and water resources.

Urban areas already benefit from significant investment and awareness, but rural areas hold untapped potential. By working with TVET colleges, we show students that employment opportunities exist within their own communities. For example, conducting energy audits of homes, schools, or churches translates directly into job creation.

We collaborate with municipalities and the Green Building Council of South Africa to integrate energy audits into certification programmes. This ensures young people understand the practical impact of sustainability and can apply it locally.

We also plan to launch the inaugural Township and Rural Area Sustainability Awards in 2027 to recognise young people and companies making a difference in these communities.

Tell us about the green building principles taking shape in rural areas.

The Minister of Public Works has acknowledged that many government buildings are not green‑ready or certified. This presents opportunities for young people and SMEs to conduct energy and water audits.

We emphasise the importance of green building principles, including EDGE certification. While costs remain a challenge, we aim to make certification affordable and accessible in townships and rural areas. This will equip young people with both qualifications and practical skills, enabling them to pursue careers locally and internationally.

Who are your partners and what other support do you need?

We partner with the Uplift Institute in the United States, as well as affiliates in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Botswana. In South Africa, we are engaging with government and the CSIR.

For our One Million Lightbulbs programme, we need more partners to help procure and distribute bulbs, creating jobs in townships and rural areas. Beyond financial support, we seek research, expertise and technology partners. Enlit Africa has been invaluable in showcasing technologies we hope to adapt for rural communities.

You were a remote participant at Enlit Africa this year. How was your experience?

My remote experience was excellent. The support from the Enlit team was on point, the matchmaking worked well, and the live streams were engaging. The conference content was rich and practical—it felt like a working conference rather than a talk shop. The technology and social media integration made it impactful, even remotely.

Any final thoughts?

Our One Million Lightbulbs programme will create jobs for SMEs across Africa while advancing the sustainability agenda. We believe it will contribute to achieving the SDGs. We appeal for partners—whether expertise, financial or technological—to join us.

As the CEO of Siemens said, we must move together to save our planet through sustainable practices. Projects involving TVET colleges, young people and communities are the only way forward. Water scarcity and energy challenges affect us all, and global partnerships are essential. By working together, we can create sustainable environments, jobs and profitable businesses led by young people in both rural and urban areas.

Thank you for the opportunity. We hope the Enlit conversations will spark new industries from townships to cities.