Africa-Press – South-Africa. Diepkloof Hostel resident Mandla Mazibuko is so excited to finally have electricity, he is even looking forward to experiencing Eskom’s rolling blackouts.
“We have been living in the dark for too long. We don’t know load shedding. We want to experience it,” he said.
Mazibuko expressed his joy this week as City Power officials began electrifying the hostel as part of a R17 million project.
“I have been living here for more than 20 years. Ever since my arrival, I have never seen proper electricity. As an alternative, we illegally connected power to our homes,” he said.
“My colleagues often talk about load shedding, and I don’t comment. I don’t know what load shedding is. I hear about it in the news. Since City Power is here, we will be able to experience it.
“We are prepared to pay for electricity. We want to enjoy it like everybody else in the country. We also want to know what load shedding is.”
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said 20 locals have been employed.
“On Monday, we were on site. We are looking at finishing the project in the next two months,” Mangena added.
Residents Zodwa Thwala and Nonhlanhla Mbambo said they were looking forward to putting the darkness behind them.
“The situation here is unbearable. We are forced to collect wood on the other side of the freeway.
“We are risking our lives by crossing the [road]. We have to connect electricity illegally.
Thwala said:
She complained criminals were taking advantage of the darkness.
“We are being robbed at night. We don’t even go out at night – this place is unsafe.
“I am delighted that City Power is bringing us electricity. We have been asking for electricity for many years. We want to raise our children in a safe environment.”
Mbambo arrived at the hostel in 2009.
“We have been ignored for too long. Informal settlements in Gauteng have been electrified ahead of us. We resorted to using illegal connections as an alternative.
“We are happy that we will be able to have safe electricity in our homes. We will be able to cook and bathe without fear.
“I am unemployed and am willing to buy electricity. I hope City Power will make us happy by fulfilling its promises,” Mbambo said.
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