In the summer of 2023, my classmates and I studied abroad in South Africa.

Media students, like myself, were there originally to help document geology students in the field with work pertaining to the country’s prominence in rare earth minerals. However, there was another story we needed to tell…

Since 2007, the country’s answer to an ongoing energy crisis has been to ration electricity amongst the population. More specifically, the corruption and lack of accountability in political office combined with the multiple failures of coal plants has left South Africa in the dark.

In this documentary, we interview residents in the Mamelodi township, employees at a coal plant, and a student at Pretoria University — each with unique insight and ideas for change in their country.

This project opened my eyes to the corruption that can consume our world, as well as the love and persistence required to combat it.

Enjoy!