From out of the dark to into the light… residents of extension 20, Sibongile, are thrilled that their newly-built homes are to be electrified.
The R5-million project is underway. Thulani Mahaye, ward councillor, told a residents meeting that ‘Council was not lying when the promise was made in 2016 that there would be no more dark clouds’.
Mark Donaldson, Endumeni Municipality’s Electrical Manager, said there was a concern from some residents that the cabling should be underground rather than above.

However, the cost of putting the cables underground was about R15-million and the overground option about R5-6-million. Residents seemed satisfied with this explanation. “The dedication and hard work of the ward committee members is bearing fruit in helping this project,” Mr Donaldson said. He added that the material for the project had arrived last week and 10 members of the public will be temporarily employed to work on the project.
This process had gone ahead without any hitches.
The community were also warned about the high rate of electricity theft around Endumeni, currently running at about R2-million a month.