Lights switched on for 270 Mtubatuba households

Douglas Zulu, 60, a resident at Mfekayi Village, said he was overjoyed with the electrification project and described having electricity as life changing.

Douglas Zulu, a resident, speaks to Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka during the switch-on of the Mfekayi electrification project on Thursday. The project gives 270 households in Mtubatuba access to electricity for the first time. Picture: Supplied

Published Oct 14, 2021

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DURBAN - Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka on Thursday unveiled an electrification project in the rural village of Mfekayi in the Mtubatuba Municipality.

The project, which cost R11 million, gives 270 households electricity for the first time.

Douglas Zulu, 60, a resident at Mfekayi Village, said he was overjoyed with the electrification project and described having electricity as life changing.

“This project has helped us as a community. We can now access the modern-day conveniences of electricity. It has been truly life-changing for many of us.”

Hlomuka said it was the government's goal to provide basic services and to provide access to electricity to disadvantaged communities.

“Currently as a province, 2.5 million households have access to electricity. We are here today to witness the increase in this number as 270 more houses can access the grid. We are determined to eradicate the electricity backlog.”

The department said that Cogta would continue to invest in the electrification project.

“KZN Cogta, under the leadership of MEC Hlomuka, continues to invest millions of rand in grants to assist municipalities to deal with the electrification backlog.”

Hlomuka, who was accompanied by the mayor of Mtubatuba, Thobelani Ncamphalala, also urged the beneficiaries of the programme to protect the infrastructure.

Ncamphalala welcomed the programme.

“The ongoing support we are receiving from the provincial and national government through the various grants is making a big difference in our efforts as Mtubatuba, to bring services closer to our communities,” said Ncamphalala.

THE MERCURY

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