100 families at Donkerhoek in Humansdorp received first-time access to electricity this week.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, switched on the power to 100 new electrical connections at the settlement on Tuesday.
Hendricks said the project represented another step forward for communities that for years were neglected by the municipality’s past leaders.
“There are still many improvements that we would like to make to this area, including additional standpipes and toilets,” he said, addressing residents of the area.
“We want to thank those living here for their patience and cooperation. You have not been forgotten and we are committed to helping you move forward as the municipality moves forward.”
Planning and Development Portfolio Councillor, Ben Rheeder, said the beneficiaries were families who had been relocated from Vaaldam to Donkerhoek, so as to enable the municipality to roll out basic services to them.
“Priority was given to the elderly, disabled and most vulnerable,” he said.
The switch-on brings the total number of sub-economic houses and sites to be electrified in Humansdorp over the past four years to 797.
This has included the 391 RDP houses built at Kruisfontein, as well as a further 306 sites at Donkerhoek.
“More than R23 million has been put into these projects, including the necessary bulk infrastructure,” Hendricks said.
“A further 100 connections are set to be installed in the current financial year.”
Chemical toilets have also been installed at the new section of Donkerhoek.
The residents have named this new settlement Mooi Uitsig (“Fair View”) – in recognition of both the beautiful views from the area and their hope for a brighter future.
The residents have been relocated to Mooi Uitsig from the Vaaldam area so as to enable the municipalty to provide basic services to them.
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