What if churches, mosques and temples could do more than preach hope—they could power it?

A renewable energy hub being established at the Church of the Resurrection in Bonteheuwel, Cape Town, offers a model that could be replicated across Southern Africa.

Faith institutions are uniquely connected to drive such initiatives and the Southern African Faith Communities' Environmental Institute (SAFCEI)  has spent years building the capacity of faith leaders across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. As trusted community anchors with grassroots networks, they can help empower underserved communities.

Commencing in August, SAFCEI and The Church of the Resurrection in Bonteheuwel will together create a community-based solar energy hub - to provide the community with access to affordable power as well as an opportunity for skills training.

On Wednesday, the SAFCEI board visited Anglican Rev Father Oswald Cloete at the church to show their support for the 18-month groundbreaking project.

“This is a new way of thinking about energy and climate change and a new challenge. This is an opportunity for our young people to learn about solar energy and implementation and can bring together so many people,” Cloete said inside the lofty church, a landmark in Bonteheuwel.

More than 50 community members will be trained in solar technology at this hub, funded by the ClimateWorks Foundation.. At least half its participants will be women and a quarter of them will be youth.

“This is a place of belonging,” said SAFCEI board chairperson David Munene, paying tribute to the portrayal of Jesus Christ as a Khoisan man in the chapel. “This is a calm space that looks like an oasis (despite) a history that is very sad and painful. This is a story of hope. The seeds being planted here will begin to blossom and flourish.”

The project aims to provide a practical blueprint for scaling community-led renewable energy solutions, which can bridge the gap between JET policies and people’s everyday struggles.