The struggle to have electricity supplied to the Phaphamani and Zolani informal settlements gained momentum when 60 Ward 10 residents braved the bad weather and again picketed outside the City Hall recently.
The struggle to have electricity supplied to the Phaphamani and Zolani informal settlements gained momentum when 60 Ward 10 residents braved the bad weather and again picketed outside the City Hall recently.
There is no electricity or street lights in both areas and the residents argue that this contributes to the high crime rate. Just a week earlier on Friday, 15 October the residents picketed outside City Hall and planned to meet with Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana for an explanation, but were told he was unavailable.
"It's been 17 years since we have been living in this area and there's nothing happening, we are living in unhealthy conditions because of the stench that comes from the pit toilet system," said resident Sukuzile Maki. "Last week, we were told to come today for a response to our constant problems."
Maki added that ever since they voted in 1994 there is nothing they can point to showing what "our government have done for us”. Speaking on behalf of the municipality, Ward 10 councillor Xolani Simakuhle told the picketers that Lwana was attending a provincial Executive Council outreach event with Premier Noxolo Kiviet.
He said they had agreed with Lwana on the phone that they would meet on Wednesday, 27 October at Simakuhle's office where officials would respond to the residents' problems. Lwana however could not make it to this meeting which was postponed till the following day. According to Simakuhle, Lwana informed residents of Phaphamani, Zolani and Sun City at the meeting that they would indeed receive electricity by the first week of December. He said he has already signed a mayoral resolution to that effect.
Makana Town Planner, Renier van der Merwe, was also there to explain the process of formalisation. Phaphamani resident, Nombulelo Yame said that it made her a bit happy that they received a response. "We did tell the mayor though to inform us of any delays which will keep the municipality from achieving that goal because they have made so many promises in the past."
Yame added that each night she spends R14 to purchase a 2-litre bottle of paraffin. "Having electricity would be less expensive which is why we need it. Another thing is that our children who are 14 or 15 years old come back home late at night because they are off watching TV or doing their homework somewhere else.
Now you reach a point where you don't know the real truth of their whereabouts." Johnny Helesi, another resident, says that last year they were told Phaphamani and Zolani would get electricity after the municipality had finished installing it in Xolani squatter camp, but that this did not happen. "When there are elections, be it local or national, people's needs are met. My thoughts are, if we did not complain about this, they would only meet our needs when they need our votes," he said.
