We are more than excited to announce that the roadside and street poles billboards have been erected in all cities and some district in North and Central regions! This has been done as part of a nationwide advocacy campaign on Green and Inclusive Energy (GIE).

The team at Renew’N’Able Malawi tried to convey the messages on these materials in a simple yet relatable way in order for the general public to understand them. That, we believe, has been achieved. Even so, we just want to shed some light on the specific messages.

Roadside billboard

The message on them are: Kodi tingatukuke opanda mphamvu zodalirika? Its English equivalent is: Can we develop without energy that is sustainable?

It is just trying to put into context the energy challenge Malawi is currently facing. It is an open secret that for Malawi to develop and progress it needs sustainable energy. However, with the country’s persistent power cuts, this cannot be realized. The question posed therefore throws the situation to the general public.

Since the challenge is emanating from the national power grid’s failure to satisfy the national demand, the message goes on to provide alternatives in renewable energy alternatives.

Besides this, there are also other sources being advocated for by government, private sector as well Non-Governmental Organizations. The images of Chitetezo Mbaula and a solar panel that has a mid-day sun shining on it takes the message home. Chitetezo Mbaula is firewood efficient as it uses half of what is used on a three stone fire place which is commonly used in rural areas. Solar is also a common energy source utilized in Malawi bearing in mind its affordability and the readily availability of the sun.

Street poles  

We have two sets of street pole messages. These were targeted for the cities. Bearing in mind the fact that most people can easily relate to English messages, we thought it necessary to have them in that language.

First set

The first set of street poles was premised under the common fact that; saving resources for other household expenditures is the priority for most homes. Households in Malawi use 30 percent of their income on energy-related expenditures. Therefore if energy is affordable and efficient, most households will save an enormous amount of money. Such savings will be channeled into other equally important needs such as school and health related expenditures.

Second set

The message addresses the recurring reality when it comes to energy needs at both macro and micro levels within the country. In order to attain good education, health and livelihood, sustainable energy is necessary. The street poles serve as a reminder on the importance of energy and its effect on all developmental sectors. The message is therefore putting all concerned stakeholders into perspective and trying to reignite a consciousness within Malawians.