As the sun sets on another Women’s Month in South Africa, we continue to celebrate the achievements of young and passionate women across historically male dominated sectors like energy – reminding everyone that what is good for the gander can be good for the goose.
In recognition of the enormous opportunities and potential for gender advancement in energy efficiency, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) is celebrating the women leading us into a “cooler” future. One such woman is 25-year-old Hilda Muthivhi whose curiosity and determination to make SANEDI’s Cool Roofs Project a success has enabled her to assume a leadership role in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the SANEDI project underway at two of four military bases in Limpopo.
No stranger to the notoriously high temperatures nearly all year round in her home province, Muthivhi believes the impact of cool roof paint technology, and the accompanying special skills needed, will have lasting impact over and above the benefits of energy savings associated with this innovative paint. She sees jobs, skills and opportunities on the horizon.
Muthivhi’s work at undisclosed locations for military bases in Limpopo involves noting and documenting how different roof materials respond to the paint, and the methods needed to prepare the surfaces for coating. This has lasting consequences for the integrity of the paint. Hilda is directly contributing to the body of knowledge SANEDI will use to present a strong business case for the widespread adoption of cool roof paints that will ultimately improve our overall energy efficiency and result in electricity and cost savings.
“Where I grew up we had children in school who became sick during summer because it became very hot. This paint will keep our buildings cooler when it gets too hot in Limpopo,” Muthivhi says. “People in Makhado and Musina have complained about the heat and how they could not stay indoors in summer but now they can. It was hard for them to work as a result of the heat.”