Power on Demand: $2 Battery Rentals Bring Charge to SA Townships

In Tembisa near Johannesburg, residents rent portable solar batteries (300–1,000 Wh) for about 5 rand per plug to power phones and small devices, offering an affordable energy option for those without reliable power or funds for solar panels. The New York Times spotlights Anselmo Munghabe’s tin-shack barber shop where customers line up to charge devices, illustrating how a low-cost rental model can expand energy access and foster small-scale entrepreneurship.