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 fi re,’ he says.

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 – priced from R195 to R3 500 – 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.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Genie Lamp is currently undergoing a redesign and will make its second debut, in a more African-ethnic incarnation, early in 2007.

Hoosein Unice 011 466 2300, 082 048 4372, hooseinu@qd-group.co.za