The bicycle has been hailed as having done ”more than anything else in the world … to emancipate women” — the words of 19th-century American feminist Susan B Anthony. But for many women in South Africa, culture and tradition make it difficult to take advantage of the increased mobility offered by bicycles.

Solar water heaters offer people the chance to save money, increase the security of the local and national energy supply, and cut down on greenhouse-gas emissions said to cause climate change. Yet, roofs throughout South Africa are noticeably bare. According to research published this year by Sustainable Energy Africa, less than 1% of households have solar water heaters.

Energy efficiency needs to become an integral part of our nation’s psyche. Like we have achieved with smoking in public places, certain energy wasteful practices need to be seen as antisocial and even illegal!