JEFFREYS BAY – Kouga Local Municipality successfully electrified an additional 200 informal households in the Ebumnyameni informal settlement, Ocean View, on 20 August as part of ongoing municipal efforts through a R2.5 million third-phase project to eliminate illegal electricity connections and provide safe, reliable power.
The project included the installation of a 315 kVA transformer, as well as split-phase meters for each unit, including a distribution board.
A total of 1.2 km of low-voltage bundled conductor was installed, incorporating air-deck cabling for each house.
Additionally, several streetlights were installed at strategic locations to ensure adequate safety throughout the area.
Phase three followed on from phases one and two, which had already provided legal electricity connections to 500 households in the area.
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman said, “The installation of electricity in Ebumnyameni has greatly improved living conditions for residents, while reducing the risks associated with illegal connections.”
Since the introduction of legal electricity, illegal connections across the region have decreased significantly, helping to reduce municipal electricity losses from 22% in 2018 to 14% currently, against a municipal electricity budget of R400 million.
“This project highlights the municipality’s commitment to providing safe and lawful electricity access for all residents,” Bornman added.
“We remain dedicated to expanding these services and enhancing the quality of life across our communities.”
Samantha Graham-Maré, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, who attended the event, said, “This is an immense and historic moment for the Ocean View community in Jeffreys Bay.
“I commend the Mayor of Kouga Local Municipality, who is ensuring that all residents of his area can live improved and dignified lives. This is also a demonstration of what can be achieved when you have capable and ethical leadership in place.
“As a department, we celebrate successes such as these, as it is our citizens who are benefiting. As the G20 presidency, today’s events tie in with our goal of securing access to electricity for 300 million Africans.
“We will continue to prioritise the availability of affordable electricity.”
Siziwe Miwa, who has been residing in Ebumnyameni informal settlement for the past 20 years, said that she has faced many challenges living without electricity.
She said that many of her electrical appliances have broken down since she did not have a consistent electrical supply, and her children, aged 7, 12 and 14, have had to do their homework in the dark.
Miwa further said that they often need to make use of her cell phone to complete certain school tasks, and she therefore must walk to the nearby neighbourhood to charge her cell phone.
“We have been without electricity for many years and have had to make use of paraffin, which costs about R25 a litre. Since I am not working, I struggle a lot and often must hustle to survive,” said Miwa.
She said that her quality of life has improved greatly since the electricity was installed at her place earlier this month.
Despite the relief that she can finally turn on the lights in her home, Miwa admitted that staying in an informal settlement is not safe, especially for children.
“Staying in the informal settlement can be dangerous because just a few days ago, a shack close to me burnt down. We also do not have any fencing around our homes, which is not safe, and our surroundings are very dirty,” said Miwa.
While she appreciates the installation of electricity, she said that she hopes to receive an RDP home soon.
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