High-mast light to improve Marikana safety
A HIGH-MAST light in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East has been switched on by Mayor Patricia de Lille to improve visibility in the area.
The 30-metre high-mast light was erected on city-owned land on the boundary of the settlement along Sheffield Road.
It comes after the residents of Marikana marched to the Civic Centre in the CBD to hand over a memorandum of demands on Monday, in which they said the City has neglected them. They wanted the City to explain the lack of development of their settlement.
De Lille said she saw the Marikana residents on Monday, but had been unable to meet with them as she was rushing to a meeting. She said the new light was one of five to be installed on the periphery of the informal settlement to improve safety.
“The City will invest over R2 million of its Urban Settlements Development Grant to fund the installation of the five highmast lights,” said De Lille.
“It will not be the last time the City will work with the people of the Marikana informal settlement.
“The leadership of the City is always available to have engagements with all residents of Cape Town about issues in their communities, so that we can continue making progress possible.”
De Lille said she was aware of the challenges faced by the residents, but the City could not deliver most of the demands because the land was privately owned and was before the court.
Ward councillor Mboniswa Chitha said: “The most important thing our people need is light inside their homes not only on streets.”
Community leader Daluxolo Maki thanked De Lille and the City for “almost” meeting one of their demands, for proper street lighting.
“We still need an upgrade of Protea Road, electricity in our homes, re-blocking and sanitation in their area,” said Maki. –