Zandspruit electrification programme takes off
Youth to be trained in skills during implementation of project
The long-awaited electrification project of Zandspruit informal settlement near Honeydew in Randburg will begin in March this year. This was announced by Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Dikgang Moiloa, during a report-back meeting to the residents of Zandspruit on the electrification programme of the area.
Moiloa disclosed that over R8-million has been allocated for this programme by the department of energy. It will also open up business opportunities for the community.
“Eskom has already conducted an SMME support workshop, which will allow local business to be part of this programme,” said Moiloa.
Youth of Zandspruit will also be trained and equipped with skills to work on the mass electrification project that is expected to be completed in the next three years.
The first phase of electrifying the area will take about three months, provided that there are no hiccups and the community allows Eskom officials to successfully electrify the informal settlement without any stoppages.
Moiloa thanked Eskom for the report and urged the community to co-operate with the power utility. “I would like to thank Eskom for this detailed report on the electrification programme.”
The MEC noted that the electrification programme is a temporary solution, as the government has a plan to build human settlements in Zandspruit.
“We have also been in talks with private land owners, who have showed an interest to avail portions land for the development of human settlements in this area. We are in talks with Steyn City, which is willing to partner with the government to develop Zandspruit,” said Moiloa.
“On my next visit here, I am going to invite the City of Joburg, the national department of human settlements and private land owners who own portions of land in this area to plan for housing development,” added Moiloa.
The MEC issued a stern warning to those who would continue to attempt illegally occupy the land after government efforts to develop human settlements in Zandspruit.
“We will not be kind to individuals who do not abide by the South African rule of law and bylaws in our beautiful province. We will unleash the full might of the law on them,” said Moiloa.