Premier Kiviet launches multi million rand projects in Jansenville

The Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet celebrated her birthday today in a special way by launching multi-million rand projects in Jansenville.

The festivities and sentiments took a backseat as Premier Kiviet did a sod turning for a planned R120 million Solar Technology and Energy Farm, a South African first. With temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in summer in the Klein Karoo town of Jansenville, the three megawatts farm will convert nature’s heat source into solar energy. The project will create jobs and generate income for the Ikwezi Local Municipality.

In signalling a change from the all tried and tested methods of trying to get financial assistance from the provincial government when times are tough, Ikwezi Municipal Manager Thandekile Mnyimba said the plant will restore the local people’s dignity.

“The three megawatts farm, that we hope will produce five megawatts in the future, will be a major boost for the municipality, as we will appoint an Independent Power Provider to help sell the extra energy to Eskom at a cost and in turn generates revenue,” said Mnyimba.

The launch of the multi million rand projects in Jansenville is part of the Eastern Cape annual Public Service Week that sends all service delivery departments and relevant employees to poor and rural communities to see first hand how government can improve services.

“It is time to speak the truth and only the truth and that bringing change and government services to the people is a daily process not only on designated days,” said the Premier.

Kiviet also did a sod-turning of a Thusong Centre, a one-stop government services centre.
Referring to government officials in attendance, the premier said the Thusong Service Centres are not a service delivery end result, but another chapter since the services provided in them will determine if our mandate as government of bringing services to the people has been achieved.

“People have for a long time complained about poor services that may be administrative or otherwise but the onus is on us to ensure that those same people don’t leave any of our centres without proper assistance and care,” said Kiviet.

The premier also officially launched a low-pressure geyser project that uses solar energy for heat to the appreciation of one of the local residents Joyce Jantjies. “I am very happy. Oh we have warm water now”. 

Premier Noxolo Kiviet also launched the Mauritius Road project that cost the Ikwezi Local Municipality R28 million to build with the second phase set to commence later this year and a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) inspired Counter Services that saw six officials from the agency getting two cars that will service 14 areas within the four local municipalities in the Cacadu region.

Enquiries:
Acting General Manager Provincial Communications
Mzukisi Ndara
Cell: 083 324 4269