The work on the electrification of Marikana in Zwelihle started the second week in May this year and is progressing well.

This need was identified during 2022, when after a number of transformers in the area had to be replaced due to overloading as a result of the myriad of illegal electricity connections.  The situation was further exacerbated by the tragic death of a toddler who was electrocuted by an illegal connection. 

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, then come to an agreement with the community to assist the municipality with the safeguarding of its infrastructure and promised that she would actively look for funding to start addressing the electricity backlog here. 

This was indeed done when funding became available after the adjustments budget in January 2023 for the electrification of the first of twelve blocks of 200 connections in the area called Marikana in Zwelihle. The rest will be done as funding becomes available. 

Current indications are that funding will indeed be available in the new financial year as well as grant funding received will free up additional funding sources.

The Mayor expressed her satisfaction with the progress on the project and noted that even though a number of political parties and individuals claim the project as theirs, she is happy that Council could, on her request, avail funding that will improve the living conditions of the poor.