Residents living in Oppermans Oord informal settlement in Strandfontein are enjoying the benefits of electricity to their homes for the first time.

The City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements Directorate partnered with the Electricity Services Department, which invested R162 000 for the installation of individual electricity connections to the 31 households. The connections were activated recently.

The land on which this settlement is situated has been owned by the municipality since 1962 in terms of an agreement, a Deed of Grant, issued by the State, subject to conditions.

One of these conditions stipulated that the land could only be used for recreational purposes; therefore, the City was prohibited from providing services, such as electricity connections, on this land without the necessary legal processes taking place first. After a dedicated process of negotiations, the City was granted the relevant permissions for the provision of services on this land.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli, said the City is proud to have spearheaded this valuable project, which has benefitted the residents of 31 households.

‘In City supply areas, residents have almost 100% access to electricity. Having access to electricity means the difference between studying by candle light and flipping a switch. It is these differences that have an impact on the quality of life of our residents. The City’s investment demonstrates its caring commitment to enable redress through increased service delivery. A legal supply of electricity also contributes to a safer environment for our residents in informal settlements.

‘This project is a sterling example of community engagement being key to ensuring that together we can make progress possible. We could not have achieved the finalisation of the electricity installation without the support of this community,’ says Councillor Mamkeli.