Power to forgotten hamlet

THE Thulamela Municipality’s electrification project at Manyuwa village has been completed, with the municipality switching on the electricity last Wednesday.

The contractor, Josias Munyamela of N.J. Munyamela Electrical spent a month and half working on the project, which was challenging as the village is situated quite high.

The area being so steep posed several problems in terms of trucks reaching the summit.

“We had to use the mules to pull the poles up the mountain. Our trucks are still stuck there in the mountain. In some instances, we used a compressor to crack the rocks in order to insert the poles. We have managed to electrify all 33 households and install four transformers. We hired 20 locals to help us dig the holes, and we are very thankful to them,” said Munyamela.

Chief Nndanganeni Manyuwa said they were grateful to finally have electricity in the village.

“Manyuwa was known as Limpopo’s forgotten hamlet, where children have to walk several kilometres to school. People’s lives are at risk in summer from black mambas. And when it rains, they cannot cross the river. In 2009, government asked us to find another place to stay, but we cannot move and leave the graves of our forefathers,” said Manyuwa.

One of the happy villagers, Amos Tshinalwa said using paraffin lamps, candles and fetching firewood would be a thing of the past. He said he never though Manyuwa village would be electrified in his lifetime.

“I have stayed here for many years and there was no development. There are no access roads, shops, clinic, water, school or even a place for recreation. Our children travel almost 5km to attend school at Tshivhilidulu Village. We are now very thankful to have electricity,” said Tshinalwa.

Spokesperson for the Thulamela Municipality, Ndwamato Tshiila said the community should use electricity wisely and not get tempted in tampering with the electricity.

He said it was time for the community of Manyuwa to develop themselves.

“We congratulate Munyamela Electrical, the whole community and Eskom for their contribution towards the success of this project. There are many villages that are still going to be electrified,” said Tshiila.