Residents of Heavenly Valley near Klipspruit West have for the first time after 50 years experienced electricity in their households after City Power invested over R8 million in electrifying 64 homes in the area.
Addressing excited residents yesterday, 20 August 2019, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba said: “I am here to give brightness to the people of Heavenly Valley, a forgotten community that is not forgotten anymore.”
He appealed to the community to be responsible for the infrastructure provided.
Before the start of the project in April 2019, residents depended on braziers, candles and/or paraffin stoves to heat their homes, cook or provide light and school children would often do their homework under the dim light of a candle.
This often led to fires due to unattended open fires and candle flames. Now residents can experience the convenience of having electricity in their own homes for the first time.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment, Infrastructure Services Cllr Nico de Jager assured residents that pupils will never have to use candle light to study again.
Residents Charlotte Theron (60), who was born in Heavenly Valley and Johannes Beukes (52), who moved to the area as a five-year-old, have been staying all their lives in the area without electricity. They expressed their gratitude to the City for providing them with safe electricity. In the past, some household used to “steal” electricity from nearby Klipspruit West.
City Power used aerial bundle conductor cable to supply power in the area. Because it is made of aluminium, it contributes to reduction of unplanned power outages as it offers no scrap metal value. It is also durable in all types of weather and does not easily snap when a vehicle collides with the pole it is connected to.
Over and above electrifying 64 dwellings, the community has seen the installation of 30 public lights which will provide safety, ambience and convenience for residents. Power grid near the informal settlement was often overloaded due to illegal connections, which would often result in electrocutions and public fatalities.
As residents come from a low-income community, they qualify for expanded social package. Mayor Mashaba committed to sending his team from Social Development to come and register all those who qualify for the package. In the meantime, residents have been allocated 30 units for free.
Twenty three locals and a Community Liaison Officer were employed during this project.
Electrification of informal settlement forms part of City Power’s mandate from the City of Johannesburg to restore dignity to communities and eliminate illegal connections.
The City has set aside a budget of about R750 million to electrify over 200 informal settlements around Johannesburg.
Story By Noluvuyo Somtsheu
