Mayor to ‘babysit’ skills programme
SOL PLAATJE executive mayor, Patrick Mabilo has vowed to “personally babysit” a skills transfer programme for maths and science pupils as well as unemployed engineering graduates.
Mabilo was speaking at the launch of the 20MVA transformer at the Carters Glen sub-station.
“The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has made available R500 million for black industrialisation. I will personally drive a flagship programme for these youths,” Mabilo said.
The transformer is the first in the region to be built locally. “Where the 20MVA was built, it was just a spare transformer bay. We imported all the parts from China and Germany for the 10MVA transformer. This 20MVA transformer is 70% built with parts sourced from South African companies,” Orren Groenewaldt, the city electrical engineer, said.
Mabilo added that he was “proud and thrilled” that all the consultants on the project were local.
He said that the launch of this transformer is indicative that the Sol Plaatje Municipality is a municipality at work.
“We care and serve our people. With this new 20MVA transformer residents of John Daka, Riviera, Soul City and Club 2000 will benefit from the upgrade. Moreover, the improvement to the Carters Glen sub-station will increase the load in the Galeshewe sub-station for current and future electrification projects,” Mabilo said.
He stated further that the city required much-needed development, innovation, creativity and excellence in order to improve service delivery and grow a sustainable local economy to move forward. “Therefore, with the inception of these projects we can once again restore our city as a city of firsts.”
Mabilo told those present that the municipality would not devise plans that would negatively affect city residents. “That is why, with the tabling of the 2019/20 budget and the formulated role-out of the IDP, we will embark on a consultative process with all stakeholders to ensure all views and inputs are taken into account.”