Light for the South African cannabis industry

Fluence and White Lion Holdings are partnering to provide LED lighting solutions in the developing South African cannabis market. As the cannabis industry continues to gain traction throughout the country and continent, White Lion Holdings suggests growers will not only need technology at their fingertips, but evidence-backed cultivation practices that yield high-quality crops, improved yields, and consistent growth patterns. 

“Local partnerships are a key factor in delivering fast and reliable solutions to growers. Our partners know the choice of lighting supplier is crucial to delivering consistent, high-quality yields clients in the northern hemisphere require,” said Timo Bongartz, Fluence’s general manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). 

Fluence’s South African partners include local distributor The Lamphouse, the largest supplier of specialized lamps in Africa with more than 40 years of experience in numerous specialty lighting sectors, and White Lion Holdings, a company offering complete cannabis growing solutions and consultancy, led by CEO Cornel van der Watt. Van der Watt has served at the forefront of developing cannabis markets in the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, and Lesotho, and has consulted extensively in Australia.

Van der Watt is currently consulting and managing four commercial operations throughout South Africa with other operations in the pipeline. He said: “The cannabis plant is highly photosensitive. We prefer natural lighting, and South Africa has an advantage in this regard with ample, good quality natural light. By choosing the location of the greenhouse well, one can get up to 11 hours of natural light for free. Then, we integrate supplemental lighting into the facility to optimize crop yield.”

The South African market is still in its infancy. Through its partnership with White Lion Holdings, Fluence lighting solutions have been implemented at pre-licensed and licensed cannabis greenhouses and indoor facilities throughout the country.

“The Fluence system all but eliminates lighting as a variable and delivers a high return on investment. Optimizing the correct lighting strategy for the correct application and layout is one of the critical components to successful crop,” said Glenn Morris, CEO of The Lamphouse.