PHOTOS: Dook | PRODUCTION: Annemarie Meintjes, Klara van Wyngaarden | WORDS: Mandy Allen
If all designers were as concerned with functionality, user-safety and environmental issues as Hoosein Unice, the world would indeed be a brighter place.
‘Improving life for others, especially the underprivileged; creating a comfortable environment for the elderly; reducing the risk of fires; giving people access to an affordable light source…’.
A designer and production manager with the QD-Group, a leading SA electronic-design firm with a hi-tech manufacturing network, Hoosein is passionate about his influences and ambitions. He has a thoughtful, intelligent approach to his work – which is why his Genie Lamp won the 2005 Eskom Energy-Efficiency Design Competition.
But Hoosein’s genius design was born of a tragedy: ‘A friend lost his only son when his home in an informal settlement burnt down. A candle had fallen over and started a fire,’ he says.
Eco- and user-friendly
The Genie is a rechargeable, battery-powered lamp made of all-recyclable parts that emits white fluorescent light, lasts up to 14 hours and radiates enough light to illuminate two rooms. When the lamp is fully charged it can be stored for up to four months, retaining eight hours of energy – handy for ongoing power outages!
When left plugged into conventional electric sockets (or car cigarette-lighter adaptors, sold as optional extras) Genie lamps automatically switch on, at night, in the event of power failures. Some of the five models also come with solar-charging panels.
Hoosein recently proposed a franchise system through which community entrepreneurs can rent out Genies and offer their customers a recharging service – a project he says could create up to 12 000 jobs.
Hoosein Unice: 011 466 2300, 082 048 4372, hooseinu@qd-group.co.za
