Residents in Shere AH tackle defective streetlights
So far, 40 out of 200-odd dysfunctional streetlights were repaired, improved lighting and safety in the area.
Local businesses and residents recently repaired 40 vandalised and malfunctioning streetlights in Shere AH in the east of Pretoria.
Several lights had defects, while others had been vandalised and cables were sabotaged by criminal elements, leaving residents frustrated over the lack of public lighting.
Streetlights are pivotal in community well-being, offering many benefits beyond illumination. They enhance night-time safety for pedestrians and drivers, deter crime by increasing visibility, and boost community confidence by creating a sense of security.
Ward 101 councillor Malcolm de Klerk said the residents have adopted what is referred to as a “whole society approach” and are working together to improve their area.
De Klerk said the residents of Shere AH fixed the streetlights for the first time in six years.
He said they fixed streetlights on Catherine, Struben and Henry roads.
“Thus far it seems 40 or so out of 200-odd streetlights were repaired, which improved lighting and safety.”
De Klerk said the reason for the city not repairing the lights for a while was that it had no stock of the specific lights, or no available teams to fix the other issues.
He said residents came together and sponsored the project to fix the streetlights.
“And the technician was a former electrician from the City of Tshwane, who now has a registered business with all the necessary permissions, [and] licences,” De Klerk added.
He said plans were in the pipeline to tackle all other remaining defective streetlights.
“[The] whole of society approach, which is something we strongly advocate for, [is] building stronger communities.”
Technicians repaired the globes, replaced luminaires, repaired wiring, and mended fittings on street poles.
De Klerk said more projects are in the pipeline, which signifies the breathing of hope back into Ward 101.
Rekord contacted Tshwane metro to find out their plans for addressing the streetlight issues, but no response was received at the time of going to print.
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