Solar-baked bread from Lesotho

DW (English)

There are few things more comforting than freshly baked bread. And when it’s made purely by using the sun, what could possibly be better? Let’s meet Karabo Motsamai, the solar baker, to find out more.

Transcript

00:01Few things beat the smell and taste of freshly baked bread.

00:05But industrial ovens consume a lot of electricity,

00:08which is expensive and sometimes inconsistent.

00:17With this futuristic construction, really?

00:21Not using the electricity won't make my bread taste bad.

00:25The only thing is the recipe that matters on how you make the bread.

00:30But for this baker from Nosoto,

00:32it wasn't enough to just screw a few solar panels onto his roof

00:35to get his bakery up and running.

00:37Karapo Mutsamai really thought about how to build a solar parabolic cooker

00:41to make bread at zero costs.

00:44Let's check it out.

00:46How did he do it?

00:48When the sun heats the parabolic,

00:56it then reflects to the tube that is made of iron.

01:03Then when it reflects there, then it absorbs the heat.

01:08Making without a carbon footprint?

01:10On sunny days at least.

01:12But there are disadvantages.

01:14When it's raining, cloudy, snowy, it can't work

01:19because it uses sunlight to operate.

01:22So when it's raining, I use the stove in the house.

01:27They get stove.

01:28That's because I don't want the business to stop.

01:32Fortunately, with over 300 sunny days a year,

01:35there is no shortage of sun in Nosoto.

01:38On the sunny day, I produce 20 loaves.

01:42But when the sun is not much, I produce about 10 loaves.

01:49But the aim is to produce more.

01:56In the oven, it takes about 40 minutes on a sunny day or an hour.

02:04Anyone wondering how Karapo managed to do this?

02:07Well, during his studies at the Bethel Business and Community Development Center in Mahalazook,

02:11Karapo specialized in food science and solar technology.

02:16Why this strange combination?

02:18I love cooking. That's the first thing.

02:20And the other thing why I choose solar is because now the world is shifting to the power of solar technology.

02:27Because I wanted to take part and contribute in helping the world to shift to renewable energy.

02:34Over 40% of the population of Lesotho are young people.

02:42According to studies, youth unemployment is at around 25%.

02:47Most youngsters, therefore, try their hand as entrepreneurs in order to create jobs for themselves.

02:53Was this one of the reasons why Karapo founded Walker Solar Bakery?

02:57I wanted to make something for myself.

03:00And I was passionate about starting the business.

03:03That's why I started solar bakery.

03:06I didn't have enough capital to study a baker.

03:11So I used my skills to make this kind of machines to make my baker work.

03:19And again, to come up with a different way of doing business.

03:24Bread is a staple, no matter where in the world you are.

03:27And this bread is steadily gaining popularity in Maseru.

03:32With a wide range of big-name bakeries delivering to supermarkets and corner shops alike.

03:37What is the appeal of Karabo's bread?

03:40It just tastes so good.

03:42And every time the owner comes and gives it to us, it is so warm and fresh.

03:49It feels like my mother baked it herself.

03:52And I've also heard that it is good for the environment since it's naturally sun-baked.

03:59I really found out that this bread is good for my business because it lasts long.

04:06It does not get stale within a short time.

04:10The challenge with supply for this bread is weather.

04:15If it's cloudy, there won't be any supply.

04:20I usually stock a lot so that even in bad weather, I will still have some to sell.

04:31Walker Solar Bakery's oven has been firing up since 2023.

04:36But with only one solar parabolic oven, does it have a real possibility for growth?

04:42I'm also looking for a partnership or investment that will help this business of mine to grow where it is right now.

04:51And I'm looking forward with making more machines and with different designs that can treat each and every one.

05:03And hopefully, I want to inspire many of youth in Lesotho and create more jobs for them.

05:12With determination and innovation, this bakery is on a roll.

05:17Raking in the dough while spreading a little sunshine with every delicious bite.

05:22Part 1

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