Local government excellence on display as Kokstad achieves universal access to electricity

One of Dr Mandela's dream when he visited Kokstad was to see it electrified and the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube reminded community members as she officially declared a 100% power inclusion in the area. The MEC visited communities who still under the government housing plans to check whether they had likewise have power. The visited households depicted the visit as a blessing in disguise, just before the easter holidays, on the grounds that the MEC additionally helped them with electric apparatuses and groceries. The area is popular known for the wild fires and this promoted a modern technology fire fighting truck that was presented as one of the additional disaster intervention. Multi service delivery initiatives such waste management trucks, cultural village architecture plan, agricultural projects contraction and information regarding access to free services for the most needy as outlined in the indigent policy were among the information shared during the community engagement meeting at the youth centre in the Greater Kokstad on 17.04.19

 

Tears of joy could not be contained by Nomahomba Mkhize (58) of Shayamoya village when KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube, together with Mayor of Greater Kokstad Cllr Bheki Mtolo and Harry Gwala District Mayor Cllr Mluleki Ndobe, visited her household on the occasion of Kokstad local municipality’s celebration of 100% universal access to electricity for its residents.

“With winter approaching I am happy that my family will now be able to keep warm and prepare a meal all thanks to the electricity provided to my house by the government. Previously we were exposed to elements when we had to go and gather fire wood in the forest in order to have warmth and to cook” said Mkhize who is one of many beneficiaries of the R 9 million Marikana Ward 10  electrification project which brings electricity to 850 households.

This feat which has already been achieved by a few municipalities in the country is a significant milestone in the province’s continuing efforts to ensure that residents have adequate access to basic services. In her address to the residents at the Bhongweni Youth Centre, Dube-Ncube commended the hard work that has been put in by the local leadership to ensure that universal access to electricity is realised.

“As the provincial government, we celebrate with the Kokstad residents, as we kick off the province’s celebration of 25 years of freedom in style. This important feat is yet another indication of this government’s commitment to the creation of a better future for all our residents. Electricity changes lives and we can see this in Kokstad today,” said Dube-Ncube.

The MEC also officially unveiled a state of the art fire engine and two waste compact trucks which were bought by KZN Cogta, with the purpose of increasing the capacity of the municipality to render services to residents. “We have invested millions into assisting our municipalities with equipment needed to speed up service delivery. For this purpose we have bought plant equipment valued at over R100-million which includes graders, rollers, honey suckers, water trucks and sewer jets. Municipalities will be able to borrow this equipment from us at no cost. This will help to reduce the sums our municipalities spend on borrowing such equipment,” said Dube-Ncube.

KZN Cogta has invested millions of rand across the province to ensure that electricity is brought to the public and the province currently sits at over 90% access to electricity. The Greater Kokstad and Dannhauser local municipalities are the trend-setters as many municipalities within the province race to achieve 100% access to electricity.

For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokesperson Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403; or Senzelwe Mzila 082 474 1882

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