Silwerkroon lift saga comes to an end
Musan Trading Enterprise’s contract includes a one-year maintenance period.
After many years of constant battles with their lift, Silwerkroon residents finally breathed a sigh of relief as they received their new lift and generator on September 29.
The much-needed relief comes after years of continuous struggle of their lift periodically breaking down, then being fixed just to break down again. The saga of the Silwerkroon lift dates back many years.
The senior residents recited many heartfelt ordeals caused by the old lift such as having some residents being trapped in the lift. At times they have had to resort to using steps despite some elderly residents using walkers and having bad joints due to ageing.
Contracted through the City of Ekurhuleni, Musan Trading Enterprise, a construction company which has been operating for 13 years, committed to installing the new lift.
They have also had to place a new generator at the residence. This is to ensure the lift continues to operate in case of power failures and also provide lighting to some passage lights.
The lift installation means the elderly will resort to using steps for more than a month to move to the upper floors. The old lift will then be dismantled and removed in order to install the newly assembled lift.
Ward 106 councillor alderman Bruna Haipel, who had constantly questioned the progress of this project, welcomed the installation of the new lift.
“The whole issue started at least 10 years ago, but three years ago it got really bad and that’s when the elders went without a lift for months. At one stage the people on the third floor, who are in wheelchairs, were stuck in their residences. It is a good thing they eventually came through for the elderly,” said Haipel.
Silwerkroon resident Salome Teixeira expressed her excitement and said the installation of the new lift will be greatly beneficial to them.
“Residents will be very happy about the installation of the new lift because we have a number of residents who find it hard to walk up the stairs,” she said.
Acting managing director of Musan Trading Enterprise Sarah Ziramba said upon delivering the lifts the senior residents were excited to receive them.
“The elders are thrilled about the project. They cheered and expressed their excitement as the trucks offloaded the lifts. Commencement will be the stripping of the existing lift and ensuring the old lift shaft is in good order before the new lift will be installed. As soon as October 5, action will resume on site,” said Ziramba.
She told the RECORD their contract includes a one-year maintenance period. Thereafter the City of Ekurhuleni will take over.
Ziramba also said they estimate the installation project of the lift, which has a capacity of a maximum of 1 000kg, to not take more than two months.
“We are trying our best to ensure the installation is done as quickly as possible. We want to ensure all South Africa National Standard standards are observed. We, unfortunately, cannot rush lift installation as quality is of utmost importance,” she said.
