By Matṧeliso Phulane
Tabempe Lesenyeho and his teammates have decided to make life easier and cost effective through a newly founded solar cooker which uses energy from the sun.
This amazing appliance has highly gained popularity on social media since it was tested last week.
In a recent interview with theReporter, Lesenyeho said the idea of making a solar cooker bumped after he long noticed a huge gap in energy sources. That was back when he was still pursuing his Masters in Sustainable Energy programme at the National University of Lesotho (NUL).
He explained that Basotho women in general are the ones who take a disproportionate role in the business of cooking.
“They have traditionally used cow dung and wood for cooking and they have to go around to fetch them. That adds too much to their already busy schedule and that fuel is costly and running out.
“I therefore decided to make a solar cooker in order to meet them half way with an affordable equipment which is also portable and uses free energy from the sun. It can also be used at anytime and anywhere while still doing any other tasks at home.
“The solar cooker is directed to the sunlight and as it picks up the heat it, then directs it to the pot and then cooking start,” he highlighted.
Lesenyeho further explained that black pot is required because “it absorbs as much heat as possible.” Apart from that there has to be an aluminium sheet or reflector together with angle iron or a flat bar.
“Since an aluminium sheet is shiny it absorbs the sun rays in order to concentrate at one point and then reach directly back to the pot producing enough energy. Alternatively, we use plain aluminium sheet as a reflector,” he clarified.
“This cooker can cook everything such as beans, samp and any other food which takes a longer time to cook until they are too soft. The time at which they cook depends on how sunny the weather is.
“For instance, if you start cooking at 8:00am at 11:30am the food is done and ready to be served,” Lesenyeho said.
Asked if there were any challenges he encountered throughout the project, he said he managed to soldier on to implement the project using the knowledge he had acquired while at school. It was physics studies that helped him to succeed,
“So we generated Physics equations because they help us to confirm if the product is perfectly done. As long as the design is correct, then there will be good outcomes.
“After confirming that the equations are accurate and correct the solar cooker is ready to be tested and finalised,” he added.
One other challenge was lack of material that he had to buy from the local hardware stores. He said the items were too expensive.
“I used to struggle a lot to get the materials since the prices keep on fluctuating. Sometimes I would run out of the materials even before I could complete making the cooker the cooker,” he added.
Lesenyeho is confident that many people are interested in the products as he has so far received many orders.
“Recently I have about a list of 15 people who want to buy. Others place their orders towards the end of the month,” Lesenyeho stated.
He said the prices of the solar cooker ranges from M3000 depending on the size of each cooker.
He indicated that he works with two colleagues who are Thaane ‘Mokose and Molibeli Rakauoane. The two are pursuing studies in Master’s Degree in Sustainable Energy.
They are supervised by the lecturers Naleli Matjelo and Leboli Zak Thamae under the NUL Energy Research Centre and the NUL Innovation Hub.
Currently, Lesenyeho works as a Physics teacher at Lesotho China Fellowship Collegiate found in Sehlabeng sa Thuathe, Maseru.
Lesenyeho, aged 40, completed his Master’s Degree studies in 2021 in the Sustainable Energy programme. He was born and raised at Likhameng Ha Ramabanta in Maseru district.
Due to energy crisis in Lesotho, Lesenyeho has urged the youth and women to study sustainable energy in order to overcome the situation.
“A majority of people who use energy are women who are also responsible to ensure that fuel is available in their homes. The devices are also helpful to prevent air pollution and enhance clean atmosphere,” he added.
Lesenyeho can be contacted on +266-68177429
