Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi arrived at Drieziek 4 as well as Stredford 6 locations in Orange Farm on 30 September 2024 in an Electrification drive of Operation Khanyisa to bring back the lights to communities that struggle with the electricity services. In a greatly anticipated visit by community members especially the elderly, the reception was much of assurance, loud ululations and singing mostly by ANC supporters clad in the organizations’ colours. But the essence was the brief opportunity grasped by the residents in voicing their concerns to their beloved Premier who gave an ear to his constituency.
A thriving township just of The Golden highway, hopeful residents in the dusty streets, bore testament to the switching on of the new transformer by an Eskom technician to the tune of praise by a people who have been without electricity for the past 2 years. Speaking to the neighbours, Premier Lesufi mentioned that he was shown a WhatsApp message by the neighbourhood raising concerns, and in response mentioned, “I asked Eskom of the cause of persistent problem, and the utility responded that as residents you took the necessary steps to resolve the electricity issue but the problem was with the contractor who was supposed to administer the power restoration. Consequently, they commissioned another contractor that I know is reputable, so please give me some time for the reconnection. I do not want to make a promise without delivery. Eskom has requested that they be given a week’s deadline of which I extend to 2 weeks just in case.”
Residents were largely unhappy with the Council offices and some felt that it had neglected them, but above all, the Premier gave assurance that many issues in the province are being attended to as some sceptics claimed that the various campaigns from the Premier’s office were just a voting drive for his organisation.
Hopefully residents can put to bed issues of switched off essential appliances like fridges, stoves, etc. The ecstatic Gogo Granny Mmaphala claimed that her prayer had been answered as she’s been using wood for cooking, “I’m a pensioner and my son is unemployed, I could not afford gas like others.” She related. Next to her Fina Dubazana who shared the lengthy power outage predicament mentioned together with the elderly Granny that among the basic services, they also needed getting their streets tarred.
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
