69 indigent households in Kanana now have access to electricity
The Premier of the North West Province, Prof Tebogo Job Mokgoro last week officiated the symbolic switching-on of 69 newly electrified households in Kanana Extension 10 in the City of Matlosana, as part of the 100 days in office programme to enhance visible service delivery projects.
Premier Mokgoro was accompanied by the City of Matlosana, Cllr Maetu Kgaile, Ward Councilors and Eskom North West officials led by the General Manager for the Region, Mr Azwi Mamanyuha.
Eskom was requested by Matlosana Local Municipality to electrify Kanana Ext. 10 which is a development which falls under Uraniaville CNC as part of the municipality’s 2018/2019 Electrification Plan.
Addressing the community and beneficiaries, Premier Mokgoro said that the project came as a result of a resolution by Government to step up collective efforts to electrify, at the most, 97% percent of households in the country and that this was a continuation of that Household Electrification Strategy that government mandated Eskom to carry out.
“We are well on our way to realising an electrified South Africa; we shall continue to ensure that the needy and indigent in society are given top priority as beneficiaries of the Electrification Programme”, Premier Mokgoro said.
He added that the usage of candles and paraffin lamps by many indigent and poor households has, in many instances, proven to be deadly as most people end up being victims of shack fires caused by candles and paraffin lamps.
Premier Mokgoro said that about two weeks ago, the government laid to rest a family of seven people who had tragically lost their lives while sleeping inside a burning shack in Koster, which is believed to have been caused by a burning candle in the middle of the night.
He said it is such unfortunate but tragic incidents that have propelled the North West Provincial Government to increase the tempo in the delivery of much needed electricity in communities. “
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Elisa Sebolai (72), said she was pleased by the fact that she will no longer use candles for lighting and paraffin for cooking as these energy sources were posing both health and safety risks considering our age.
“I thank the provincial government for what it has done for me and my husband, Mr Ishmael Sebolai”, said Mrs Sebolai adding that the house she is occupying was also new and build by the provincial government.
Eskom North West General Manager, Azwi Mamanyuha, said that they are always ready to support the Provincial Government’s Service Delivery Improvement Programmes, particularly those related to the supply of electricity to the vulnerable as well as supporting the building and strengthening of the province’s economy.
He added that they are ready to implement all programmes that are sponsored by the Department of Energy and identified by the North West Provincial Government that seeks to ensure full access to electricity by all citizens of the province.
For enquiries, contact:
Vuyisile Ngesi
Spokesperson
Cell: 079 778 1772
Tel: 018 388 4972
E-mail: vngesi@nwpg.gov.za
