Motherwell, Nelson Mandela Bay -  A brighter, more reliable future has dawned for Elundini Primary School in Motherwell with the handover of a new solar-powered learning container, donated by Engen through its long-standing partnership with the Mark Headbush Foundation (MHF).

The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from Elundini Primary School, Engen, the Mark Headbush Foundation, local government and key community leaders.

The 15kW portable solar container – designed and delivered by Engen Business & Energy Solutions (EBES) and implemented by the EBES Engineering team – provides the school with a dedicated, power supply to support robotics and STEM studies. As a standalone energy solution equipped with an integrated UPS unit, the container ensures uninterrupted electricity for the learning activities conducted inside it.

Principal Yoliswa Mfazwe thanked Engen for investing in the future of the school’s children and for strengthening the quality of education it is able to offer. “Elundini Primary is one of the few schools in the Eastern Cape to offer Robotics as part of its curriculum, making consistent power essential to run equipment, coding tools, digital devices and other STEM learning resources.” 

“Reliable power is fundamental to modern education,” says Olwethu Mdabula, Engen CSI Manager. 

“By providing a solar-powered container dedicated to robotics and STEM studies, we are helping unlock opportunities for learners to thrive in technology-driven subjects. This investment supports both sustainable development and meaningful educational impact.”

The solar container provides a secure and uninterrupted power source for robotics lessons, coding activities, and digital literacy sessions, shielding learners from the frequent power outages that disrupt teaching time. This aligns with Engen’s growing national solar programme, which recently introduced similar alternative-energy solutions at Wentworth Secondary in KwaZulu-Natal and Marikana North High School in the North West.

“This system is compact, scalable, and designed for educational environments,” explains Kevin Singh, Head of EBES. “Because it is completely self-contained, the solar container ensures uninterrupted power to the space it serves, offering a stable platform for robotics and STEM learning, even during outages.”

A decade-long partnership delivering impact

Engen’s involvement at Elundini Primary School is rooted in its 10-year partnership with the MHF, which has driven substantial improvements in early learning education across Nelson Mandela Bay.

The partnership has already contributed to raising over R5 million to enhance early childhood and basic education in the region, supporting infrastructure upgrades, learning materials, and digital resources.

Strengthening education through sustainable energy

Today’s handover aligns with Engen’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. It also forms part of Engen’s broader strategy to support STEM subjects through its flagship Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) programme, which has transformed lives for more than 35 years.

“Investments like these bridge the digital divide and prepare learners for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world,” adds Mdabula. “We are proud to support schools that are extending themselves in innovative ways to empower young people.”

With the new solar-powered learning container now in place, Elundini Primary School is set to shine even brighter, ensuring that learners have uninterrupted access to robotics, coding, and STEM education.

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