Africa: As a token of appreciation for keeping the area free of illegal connections, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) today handed over 19 “Zama Zama” stoves to vulnerable residents of plot 3179, Ward 48 in Kariega.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Luxolo Namette, Mayoral Member of the Committee for Electricity and Energy, said at that, “We are here today because you are unique, and we appreciate you.”
“If you walk around the Metro, you will notice informal settlements with illegal connections; these illegal connections endanger us, our families, and our children; anything can happen, you guys know, either you burn your house, or a child gets electrocuted. But you decided not to make illegal connections, and as a directorate, we want to thank you very much. We want to keep you on the right side of the law because once you start tampering with electricity, it becomes an offence, and you can be charged for it,” he said.
“Continue doing what you are doing, and we haven’t forgotten you as a department.” MMC Namette reassured the residents.
“We will come back; there is a program in place to electrify shacks. It is coming to you. We are definitely coming to this area in collaboration with the ward councillor, the budget has been passed, and I am confident that the process will begin soon,” said MMC Namette.
“With those few words, I’d like to wish you a happy Mandela Day and encourage you to continue being good citizens serving under the Nelson Mandela Bay,” he said.
Linda Dladla, the community liaison officer for electricity and energy, explained how the stoves work and stressed that this was only a temporary arrangement. “These are given to you just as a way for us to just say thank you,” she said.
“We are aware of your circumstances and are making every effort to expedite all processes; we have approved that we will electrify 45 houses here, but there are still minor hiccups such as invasions and procurement processes, but we will begin our interaction with the Councillor next week,” she said.
68-year-old Stanley Rawuzela, a beneficiary of the rock stove, thanked both the ward Cllr. Van der Linde and MMC Namette for coming. He said that “many times people promise that something is coming, and it doesn’t, but you kept your word, and the stoves are here. This gives us hope that you will fulfil the other promises,” he said.
