Sol switches on lights
AFTER 15 years, the Sol Plaatje Municipality delivered on its promise to Ivory Park residents when it provided electricity to 1 175 households in the area yesterday.
The Sol Plaatje executive mayor, Mangaliso Matika, officially switched on the electricity after the project was launched in September 2017.
Matika said that access to electricity would restore dignity to the lives of residents in the area.
“In September 2017 we made a promise that Ivory Park will be provided with electricity. We committed to that promise and undertook the journey to improve the quality of life of our people through our new Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Our vision clearly states our objective, which is to move towards a leading modern society where one of the cornerstones is the provision of and access to electricity,” said Matika.
He added that electricity was not merely about bringing light to the people but also about bringing the beneficiaries up to the same level as more fortunate community members.
“During the build-up to the development of the IDP, we made a commitment that we need to ensure that we bring the infrastructure of previously disadvantaged sections of our community on par with that found in the central business district (CBD) and suburbs around the city. This programme will restore the dignity of our people and ensure that it remains intact.
“The educational outcome of the children in this area will from now be different as they no longer have to study by candlelight.”
Matika also urged community members to communicate their grievances to the municipality and patiently await feedback from them.
“It took 15 years for electricity to be provided to this community. We have noticed that people want feedback from the council in order for them not to blockade roads and protest. When there is no feedback, it angers people. The municipality will remain committed to the people we serve. The lives of more than 1 100 households will be changed due to this programme. That is also due to the support and co-operation of the community throughout the process of the programme,” he said.
An Ivory Park resident, Dimakatso Nkubeni, said she was elated about finally having electricity.
“We used candles to light our shanties. We no longer have to do that. We will also now be much safer as the risk of shanty fires will be diminished,” she said.
Nkubeni said that although she does not have electrical appliances yet, she had been saving up so that she could buy some.
“I put some money away for electrical appliances and I will now be able to buy all the fancy appliances that I used to dream about. This comes just at the right time as we are at the start of winter,” Nkubeni laughed.