The City of Johannesburg has set aside R50 million for the electrification of the Slovo Park informal settlement.

Speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony on Monday Herman Mashaba, the City’s executive mayor, vowed that the project will be completed in three months.

“Everyone involved in this project need to know that there will be very little sleep until the project is completed. We will ensure that we get weekly reports as soon as the project commences,” he noted.

The mayor said it was a shame that 23 years into democracy, that some people still live under such circumstances. “Today is not a day of celebration because this electrification is 23 years late. We need to get on with the job and do more for this community and many others,” Mashaba added.

Moving with speed

Member of Mayoral Council for Environment and Infrastructures Services Cllr Nico de Jager encouraged community members to work with the City in making it great again.

“A lot still needs to be done. This is just a first step of many for this community. We need to take it one step at a time, as we have set not just short-term goals, but long term too,” he said.

“We need every citizen to work with the leadership to make this community and the City at large a better place to live in. Many people of this community have passed without enjoying the convenience of electricity, and we urge the City to move with speed,” he concluded.