MEC for Local Economic Development and Tourism, Seaparo Sekoati, representing Premier Stanley Mathabatha;
Executive Mayor of the Waterberg District Municipality, Councillor Rosina Mokgotloane
Acting Chairperson of the Eskom Board, Mafika Mkhwanazi
Senior Executives of Eskom
Senior managers of the Department
Ladies and gentlemen,
In 100 days from Monday, Eskom will synchronise the first of Medupi’s six units on 24 December. I am told that this is a major technical milestone in the project, which I wanted to visit for a first-hand update on progress. I must add that since becoming Minister, Medupi has been one of the major tasks in by inbox. Finally, I am here to assess for myself.
Looking at the vast area the project covers and at structures as tall as the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, it is clear that there is a giant in the making, whereas seven years ago there was nothing. That’s exciting. It is exciting because Medupi and indeed Eskom’s bigger electricity capacity expansion programme will restore South Africa to a situation of secure electricity supply within the next few years. And it is exciting because these projects are bringing significant economic and socio-economic benefits to our country at a time when we need it dearly.
It is estimated that Medupi alone will grow South Africa’s gross domestic product by about 0.35% per year. Job creation and skills development have occurred on an enormous scale in this area: close to 14 000 people are coming through the gates to work at this site every day. Jobs have also been created in the development of supporting infrastructure, including the large new Grootegeluk coal mine, as well as roads, housing and sewage works construction.
Medupi is expected to boost Lephalale’s economy by about 95% a year. Just looking at the period from April 2013 to date, local suppliers have benefited substantially, having won 12 out of 22 contracts and 100 out of 167 purchase orders.
And there has been a significant effort by Eskom and its contractors through the Medupi Legacy Programme to address the surrounding community’s immediate socio-economic needs including health, education, skills and enterprise opportunities and general infrastructure development.
I’m aware that Medupi has had challenges and I’ve been told that there is a long way to go before the whole power station is completed. My department will follow the progress keenly and I’ll expect that Eskom would have learnt invaluable lessons in tackling future mega projects.
It will be some time before South Africa’s energy shortages are a thing of the past. Until then and even after that, we should all be aware of our shared responsibility in ensuring not only sustainable energy supply but also sustainable energy consumption.
In conclusion, I would like to say Eskom has turned the corner with Medupi and I can confidently say that the countdown has officially started.
I thank you.
For all media enquiries contact:
Colin Cruywagen
Cell: 082 377 9916
E-mail: colin.cruywagen@dpe.gov.za
