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Innovative electrification for hundreds of temporary houses in Motherwell

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On Wednesday, 14 December 2022, The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality connected electricity to more than 300 families who were relocated during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to temporary housing in Motherwell.

This comes as the City continues with the electrification of informal settlements work to curb illegal electricity connections and improve their livelihoods of residents.

NMBM Mayoral Committee Member for Electricity and Energy, Cllr Lance Grootboom led the energizing for the 363 homes and committed that the City aims to restore dignity to residents’ lives.

“This area is a relocation zone; residents were moved during the peak of COVI-19 just to stay here temporary. When they came here there was no electricity and they started connecting illegally and that was very dangerous as wires were exposed and the City was also losing electricity. This was something we had to monitor and address.”

“We have now removed all the illegal electricity connections that were installed and provided the citizens with basic electricity. They are now paying customers of the Municipality and we have given them some free units as a startup, so they can enjoy this basic human right. It is not safe and correct to steal electricity, especially because unsafe conditions pose safety risks to children and the elderly. However, we are happy to be finally here today and change people’s lives for the better,” said MMC Grootboom.

MMC Grootboom was joined by Ward 54 Councilor, Lunga Minyayo who turned the power- on inside some of the shelters in the area.

Delighted beneficiary Silungise Mazwane said “the removal of illegal electricity connections meant they could enjoy Christmas holidays in a safe environment’.

“We are very happy as residents. Living without electricity has been really challenging for some of us. We used paraffin, which is very expensive, unsafe and has bad fumes, making us live a poor, unhealthy lifestyle. We are really looking forward to this new chapter and hope things will get better from here,” said Mazwane.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.