Volunteer
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATIONS FOR THE SASOL SOLAR CHALLENGE ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED!
TYPES OF VOLUNTEERS
SCRUTINEER ASSISTANT
This role will typically be fulfilled by a person who is not necessarily a field expert but rather has ample technical knowledge to assists with the tasks of the scrutineer.
OBSERVER
This role will typically be fulfilled by a person with good knowledge of solar cars and events. A technical background such as the field of engineering is greatly beneficial to fulfil this role. The observer travels with the participating teams on the road to serve as the eyes and ears of the event for the officials and management team.
CONTROL STOP ASSISTANT
This role will typically be fulfilled by any person; this person will need to assist the control stop manager with his/her tasks.
TOWN AMBASSADOR
This role will typically be fulfilled by any person living in the town that is travelled through during the event. They will serve as the contact link between the organizers and the town authorities. Town ambassadors are expected to liaise with the town authorities and residents as requested by the organising team.
TOWN VOLUNTEER
This role will typically be fulfilled by any person living in the town that is travelled through during the event. They will serve as assistants to the town ambassador as well as all operational activities related to the event that involves their specific town.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VOLUNTEERING FOR THE SASOL SOLAR CHALLENGE – VOLUNTEERS TRAVELLING WITH THE EVENT
BEFORE THE EVENT
Volunteers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation prior to and after the event. Please contact the event organisers for recommendations. If volunteers require assistance with planning and VISA’s, the organisers can be contacted.
The organisers will not be responsible for the travel cost of volunteers to and from the event.
DURING THE EVENT
Volunteers selected to travel with the event can expect early morning starts from 05H00 and late nights up until 23H00 or otherwise required by the event as specified by the event organisers. Each morning can be expected to start from 05H00 and late nights can range from 19H00 or later. The event organisers will ensure that volunteers have a safe place to sleep and enough food and drinks to sustain them daily. Any additional needs and necessities will be for the volunteer’s own account. We encourage all volunteers to make the most of their time on the event, meeting new people and seeing our beautiful country.
EXCHANGE RATE AND CURRENCIES
Most international volunteers will benefit from the South African exchange rate. The Sasol Solar Challenge in South Africa is therefore an ideal opportunity for an adventure under the African sun, offering value for money in comparison to other events. The official currency of South Africa is the Rand (ZAR). Please note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
FLYING TO AND FROM SOUTH AFRICA
More than 40 international airlines fly into South Africa. If you are travelling to the event, you can set your arrival location as O.R. Tambo International Airport when flying. If you are departing from the event, you can set your departure location as Cape Town International Airport.
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers will be provided with accommodation for the duration of the event by the event organisers. Pre and post on-road event accommodation will be hotel accommodation or similar with room sharing (accommodation during the event before and after the on-road segment when fulfilling duties as a volunteer). On road event accommodation will be camping accommodation provided by the solar car teams as stipulated in the event regulations (accommodation during the Challenge).
CAMPING AND GEAR
Solar car teams are responsible for looking after their assigned volunteers and consider the volunteer as a member of their team. Teams will provide a tent and mattress of sorts to their volunteers. Volunteers need to supply their own sleeping bag, pillow and other personal items deemed necessary.
WATER AND SANITATION
There will be adequate facilities at each overnight venue, the event organisers will notify volunteers and teams of the available amenities at each overnight venue. Please note that these facilities are sometimes primitive and form part of the adventure.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The route from Secunda to Cape Town is safe, and a third-party security company will assist us at all campsites and control stops. Once registered, you will receive a “Guide to South Africa” with tips and tricks to surviving the concrete jungles and open landscapes of South Africa.
RULES OF THE ROAD
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. Seatbelts are compulsory, and mobile phone use prohibited while driving. All speed limits in South Africa are in kilometres per hour. Generally, the speed limit for urban areas is 60km/h, secondary roads 100km/h and national highways 120km/h. Always keep an eye out for the designated speed limit, as these may vary depending on road conditions and law enforcement does take place along the roads. Remember, adhering to the speed limit is a Sasol Solar Challenge regulation!
DRIVER’S LICENCE
If you are planning on driving in South Africa, you may use a valid driver’s license issued in your own country as long as it has a photograph, the signature of the holder, and is in English. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to ensure that they have a driver’s license that is recognised by Sout African authorities. For other languages or as necessary, obtain an international driving license before you leave home. You should always have your driver’s license with you when you are driving, as you will be asked to produce it if you are pulled over by traffic police for any reason.
SOUTH AFRICAN CLIMATE
During the route we travel through different climates. This means that on just this one event, you may feel colder, or hotter, on different days. We suggest packing accordingly. September is summer in South Africa with rainfall, warm and dry afternoons. Temperatures can reach more than 40°C and lows of less than 10°C depending on the region.
TIME ZONES
South African local time (Bravo or GMT+2), not to be confused with Zulu Time, is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Zulu Time (Z) and does not change throughout or in different parts of the country.
CLOSING NOTES
If you are planning to be a volunteer on the Sasol Solar Challenge and you are expecting a free, luxurious holiday, this probably isn’t going to be the event for you.
However, if you are looking for the adventure of a lifetime where you can meet people from around the world with a shared passion for solar cars and renewable energy and a chance to experience South Africa like few locals ever have, the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge is exactly where you should be come September 2024.
We look forward to reviewing your application and welcoming you to the Sasol Solar Challenge team. Best of luck.
LIZE-MARI NEL
Sasol Solar Challenge Project Manager