Christmas came early for 120 homes in the community of Motherwell, where Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently electrified 120 homes in the Emithini informal settlement. This much-anticipated event took place at the end of November, bringing joy and relief to residents who are now officially and legally connected to the electricity grid.
The electrification was led by NMBM Member of the Mayoral Committee for Electricity and Energy, Councillor Ziyanda Mnqokoyi, marking a new dawn for the informal settlement and ending electricity-related disputes with neighbouring formal housing residents.
One of the thrilled beneficiaries, Jongiwe Piko, shared his excitement.
This initiative is part of a broader project set to energise almost 700 homes in the area, taking place in phases. The municipality said it remains committed to providing safe and legal electricity to all qualifying residents, even as they navigate budget constraints and a shortage of metres.
Councillor Mnqokoyi emphasised the project’s objectives. “The primary objective of this project is to electrify the informal settlements throughout the Metro, thus eradicating unsafe illegal connections while providing proper and safe electrical connection to the informal settlements. This electrification programme will also allow the Electricity & Energy directorate to better manage its electrical infrastructure from overloading, and faults due to illegal connections, as well as providing the basic constitutional rights to the residents of the Metro. As part of the electrification programme, the community is educated on the problems, cost and dangers of illegal connections and the risks in allowing illegal connections to the network.”
Despite the challenges, the municipality continued to call on residents to protect the infrastructure. With two transformers allocated in the area, NMBM spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, said it is crucial for the community to safeguard these assets and report any criminal activity that might compromise them.
Mnqokoyi added, “We have made a promise to this community that we will come back to electrify more homes but today we are happy to have seen the whole community jovial and welcoming of the progress made so far. This project not only enhances living conditions but also fosters a sense of community responsibility and cooperation. As more homes are energised, the initiative promises a brighter, safer future for Motherwell’s residents.”
