The Tshwane metro’s #SwitchOnTshwane program recently brought its efforts to the Westford Informal Settlement, aiming to supply electricity to about 2 000 households in the area.
MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, said: “Once completed, 2 000 households will be provided with safe, legal, reliable access to electricity. The first phase of the project will benefit 560 households… equipped with prepaid electricity,” Boshielo said.
The construction activities began on July 9, and officials have said the project should be completed in December, subject to weather conditions and the construction schedule running as intended.
“The electrification of the Westford Informal Settlement demonstrates our commitment to extending essential services to all communities. Access to safe and reliable electricity improves living conditions, enhances public safety, supports economic opportunities, and restores dignity to our residents. We remain focused on delivering infrastructure that changes lives,” Boshielo said.
He added that recently, officials from the Energy and Electricity Business Unit (EEBU), the contractor, and the manufacturer conducted an oversight inspection at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Pretoria West Campus in Technikon Street. The purpose of the inspection was to assess progress on the construction and installation of eight solar streetlights.
This project forms part of the city’s rollout of sustainable solar technologies aimed at improving public safety, enhancing visibility, and promoting clean, renewable energy across the city.
Tshwane metro mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya recently led a service delivery walkabout in Region 3, alongside various senior managers of the city, visiting several locations, including the Westford project.
“Region 3 has the highest number of service delivery backlogs according to the city’s customer relations statistics. It is a densely populated area that covers the Pretoria CBD, Atteridgeville, Lotus Gardens, and much of the Pretoria industrial region.”
Concerns on water losses, electricity losses, public lighting, and illegal dumping were highlighted during the tour.
“Key areas that we visited include the Salvokop Development Precinct, Plastic View informal settlement, and Lotus Gardens for a walkabout at Westford Informal Settlement,” Moya said.
Moya said the tour will be followed up by a high-impact Re A Spana service delivery programme that will take place in a few weeks.
“We want a co-ordinated approach to service delivery for the benefit of businesses and residents. We try very hard to be innovative in order to serve the residents of Tshwane,” she said.
Watch here: https://x.com/nasiphim/status/2075642587961082048/video/1.
Improving service delivery requires innovative approaches to political oversight. Today, we decided to abandon the boardroom and take our weekly service delivery war-room to the streets of Tshwane.
We were joined by MMCs and senior managers who are responsible for resolving the… pic.twitter.com/LPJ6LC3Z4L
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) July 10, 2026
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