10 homes for Blondi electrified

GEORGE NEWS - The electrification of 10 homes in Blondi Informal Settlement is the second of the three Short Term Urgent Electrification projects that were prioritised by Council in March this year in terms of the R800 000 available budget for the 2020/21 financial year.

The cost of electrification per structure, including a prepaid meter, is between R10 000 and R13 000.

Mayor Leon van Wyk visited the site on 8 September to switch on the power. Each resident received a 40-amp electrical prepaid meter in their own name. Van Wyk was pleased that the municipality has provided the residents with this resource.

Ward councillor Sivuyile Dikilili was overjoyed for the recipients and thankful that the municipality was able to assist. Resident Ncumisa Ntsendwana was thrilled: "This means so much to me. Now my children can write at night, at first they couldn't do this because we used candles. Thank you so much, Mayor."

Xolani Mguzula and his sister Nandipha Botman (second and third from left) were all smiles as Nandipha flipped the switch and put on the electricity in their home. Here they are with Ward Cllr Sivuyile Dikilili (left); Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services Nosicelo Mbete; and Mayor Leon van Wyk.

Nandipha Botman and her brother Xolani Mguzula were incredibly happy at the difference this would make to their daily life.

"This will make our lives a little easier. The children will be coming in the holidays. They can now do their schoolwork and we will be able to cook. It just makes everything so much safer," said Mguzula.

Mayor Leon van Wyk flips the switch to electrify Blondi Informal Settlement.

At the electrical switch-on at Blondi Informal Settlement are, from left: Mayor Leon van Wyk; Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services Nosicelo Mbete; Director of Electrotechnical Services Bongani Mandla; Joubert Theart of Zutari; Ward Cllr Sivuyile Dikilili; GRDM Cllr Khayalethu Lose and Ralton Abrahams of BDE Consulting Engineers.