Loadshedding is expected to continue for the next two years making alternative lighting solutions essentials of the South African household. We’ve compiled a list of useful, local, stylish, and sustainable loadshedding essentials to illuminate any home, from candles to solar lanterns.
Solar
While we can’t rely on a steady electricity supply, we can rely on a (mostly) steady supply of sunlight. So, solar is the way to go.
Solar Desk Lamp
Many of us know the frustrating feeling of being in the middle of a work task, studying, or reading a book, in the evening, when the lights go off. There are different options out there, but we have found this 0.6W Solar Desk Lamp available on Sustainable.co.za which has multiple light settings that will ensure your work area is well lit regardless of what loadshedding stage we are on. All you need to recharge the battery is a sunny spot.
- Prices: From R222.00
- Website
Consol Solar Jars
Consol Solar Jars bottle sunshine through a small solar strip attached to their lids and can provide up to six hours of light. The glass jars also come with sensors that detect a sudden loss of light causing the LEDs to glow at 10% of their ordinary output for 60 seconds making it easier to find them during load-shedding. Consol Solar Jars are available through e-commerce platforms like takealot and supermarkets like Pick ‘n Pay, and Makro. What’s more is you can personalise your jar with fillings of your choice!
- Prices: From R245.00
- Website
Candles
When the all too familiar darkness of loadshedding hits, candles are a go-to across the board.
Soy wax vs. paraffin wax
What’s in your candle and why does it matter? Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from soybeans rendering it a healthier alternative to paraffin wax. While paraffin wax comes in at a more affordable price-point, it is a petroleum-based product made from non-renewable fossil fuels. Soy wax burns for longer since it has a lower melting point to paraffin wax.
Candle care tips
- Store your candles below 25°C and out of direct sunlight.
- To ensure the longevity of your candles, restrict your burning to three hours at a time to prevent ‘tunnelling’.
- Place your candle on a flat surface away from any drafts as this will also effect the quality of your burning experience.
- Soak candles holders in hot water to remove excess wax.
Just a reminder, grabbing a pack of candles from your local corner store is an important (and convenient) way to support local and invest in small businesses. And when the supermarkets are out of stock of candles in the loadshedding rush, your nearest corner store will probably have them at a fraction of the price! You’ll probably come across Price’s Lighthouse Candles – who have been in the candlemaking business since the 1830s – which have become an iconic household staple in many South African homes.
But, if you are in the mood for a more stylish restock, here are a few local, artisan candle businesses to support:
SAVOIR
Cape Town-based small business, Savoir Living makes candles into works of art. Each soy wax candle is hand-poured into moulds to create cream-coloured sculptures in the form of shells, pillars, and knots.
- Prices: From R95.00
- Website
Happy Candle Co.
Happy Candle Co. handmakes dye-free candles from soy and beeswax and infuses them with essential oils to create fragrances from magnolia and cedarwood to grapefruit and mint, lemongrass, and lavender. The Cape Town-based brand hand-pours all its candles into reusable 250ml and 500ml glass jars.
- Prices: From R179.00
- Website
Okra Candles
Okra Candles founders, Michelle du Preez and Erik Rust combined their skills in biochemistry, Computer-Aided Design, and aroma therapy to create luxury candles that come in an array of sizes, shapes, and colours some of which have a burn time of up to 22 hours. From pillar to dinner candles, each one is modelled, hand-poured, and moulded in their Somerset West-based studio and fragranced with essential oils.
- Prices: From R35.00
- Website
Simply Bee
Situated North of Cape Town in Hopefield in the West Coast fynbos region, Simply Bee handmake paraffin candles dipped in beeswax. All Simply Bee candles are free from harmful chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and parabens making them hypoallergenic. Their rolled beeswax candles are particularly special made from 100% pure, unbleached, all natural beeswax.
- Prices: From R65.00
- Website
NECTR
Located in Stanford in the Overberg Region, NECTR handmake candles in small batches using 100% pure beeswax, sustainably sourced from South African beekeepers. NECTR’s hypoallergenic, golden candles come in decorative shapes and emit a rich honey scent.
- Prices: From R157.50
- Website
Candle holders
Candle holders are not only useful to ensure wax does not spill onto surfaces, but they are also an effective way to add a bit of expression to your home.
Ponieskrantz Retro Candle Holder
Pilgrims Rest in Mpumalanga is the home to this handmade pottery and stained glass studio. Their ceramic candle holders are perfect for an ambient dining experience and come in matt black, charcoal, stone matt, and whisper grey.
- Prices: From R70.00
- Website
The Joie Collection Ceramic Candle Holder
On a quest for tasteful, conscious, and local living, Cape Town brand, The Joie Collection offer handmade ceramic candle holders with a rimmed dish ideal for dinner candles. Choose from three earthy tones including black, mustard, and cream.
- Prices: From R110.00
- Website
Osaka Candle Holder by Pedersen + Lennard
A playful interpretation of the traditional candelabra, Pedersen + Lennard’s Osaka Candle Holder consists of a U-shaped steel tube atop a semicircle-shaped oak base and is available in a rage of colours from vintage green and terracotta, to dusty pink and lemon yellow. Equally as playful is the furniture designers’ Halo Candle Holder made from steel and designed to reflect the candlelight.
- Prices: From R295.00
- Website
- Cover image: Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels
- Images: Sourced from brand websites
