Mayor Herman Mashaba switched on electricity in Heavenly Valley
‘Shine Heavenly Valley, shine!’
Tuesday, August 20, marked a new dawn for residents in Heavenly Valley, an informal settlement in Klipspruit West.
Nearly four months after the Executive Mayor, Councillor Herman Mashaba led a sod-turning ceremony to mark the beginning of the electrification of the informal settlement, the Mayor returned to be a part of a switch on ceremony for the community.
The Mayor was joined by MMC for Environment and Infrastructure, Councillor Nico de Jager, MMC for Community Development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba, City Power CEO, Lerato Setshedi and other City Power officials as well as ward councillors, community leaders and residents from the community.
“We came here a few months ago and we made a commitment to the residents. I am so pleased that we are able to return here being able to switch on electricity that these people have been waiting for all their lives,” said Mashaba.
“I would really like to convey my deepest appreciation to the City Power team as well as the community who worked together to ensure that this project reached completion. This is only the beginning, this community, like many other forgotten communities, deserves much more,” he added.
Nolene Stokes, a resident who spoke on behalf of all the Heavenly Valley residents said that the entire community is excited to have electricity. “We have been struggling for many years without electricity so this day means a lot to all of us. Finally our prayers have been heard and we can now say, shine Heavenly Valley, shine,” said Stokes.
MMC for Environment and Infrastructure, Councillor Nico de Jager commended City Power CEO Lerato Setshedi for making the project a success. “Without him, this would not have been possible. He has the toughest job within the city but he has done an absolutely fantastic job with his team,” said de Jager. “I also want to encourage residents to take the initiative to look after the infrastructure. There is no need for illegal connections anymore,” he added.
Residents were also encouraged to make use of the Expanded Social Package (ESP) should they not be able to afford to purchase electricity.
“If you cannot afford to pay for services, it is your duty to visit your regional office and apply through the necessary channels for ESP. Never again will we have children studying by candlelight, never again do we have to report incidents where a child died because of illegal connections and never again will this community be excluded,” said de Jager.
Setshedi and his team led councillors, community leaders, residents and members of the media to homes where electricity was switched on. Residents and leaders cheered in excitement. Mayor Mashaba concluded by saying that Kliptown too, will be fully energised in the next few months.
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