AFTER more than a year of living in the dark, the 18 families who call the abandoned hotel in Umtentweni home will now be able to switch on lights, cook on a proper stove, and even watch TV.
On Tuesday this week, Hibiscus Coast Municipality mayor, Cynthia Mqwebu visited the hotel to officially switch on the lights for the 67 residents.
The electricity supply to the hotel, run as a care centre by Marthie Venter and her husband, Freddie, was disconnected because the residents could not afford to pay the bill.
“The care centre is a Christian organisation which helps the less fortunate and we give shelter to those who need it. It hasn’t been easy living without electricity, and we are currently also living without water,” said Marthie.
She explained that when the mayor visited them previously to hand over blankets, she used the opportunity to tell Mrs Mqwebu about the challenges they were facing.
“The municipality has contributed toward the electricity bill, and we have also reported the matter to Human Settlements because we would like to work on a housing project for these people,” said Mrs Mqwebu.
“I would like to thank all those who played a role in collecting funds to pay the reconnection fees,” said a grateful Marthie.
