After waiting for more than three decades, the lights have finally been switched on for residents of Jim Se Bos in Philippi.
On Friday, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti, was at the settlement along Olieboom Road, which has been in existence since 1984.
There were broad smiles and tears of joy as residents witnessed the lights going on from street poles for the first time in the area.
Maxiti was last seen in Jim se Bos in February when he did a walkabout and recruitment drive for the first phase of electrification, at a cost R2.8 million for 334 homes.
For Kathleen Philippus, 35, it is a double blessing.
The mother of two is part of the 15 people who were recruited by the City of Cape Town for the electrification drive.
“I feel good, I feel happy for my family,” Kathleen tells the Daily Voice.
“We have waited for 30 years. Now we have electricity and I have been given a three-month contract with the City, which will put food on the table.”
Tubby Naidoo, 62, says residents no longer have to steal krag.
LIGHTS ON: Residents of Jim Se Bos finally received electricity
“Winter is here and now we can cook our meals inside our homes. We are just waiting for our electricity cards so we can purchase the electricity.”
Jim se Bos is located on land privately owned by Shaik “Abe” Parker, 68, who bought it in 1987 as a retirement investment.
The City took Parker to court because he refused to pay the
R600 000 municipal bill.
Despite this, Parker allowed the City to install taps and toilets and now krag for the residents, provided he does not have to foot the bill.
BLESSING: Kathleen Philippus, 35
Three years ago, 17-year-old Mark Smit was electrocuted and killed while attempting to reconnect an illegal electricity connection.
Maxiti thanked Parker for his co-operation to help the residents.
“Further surveys will be carried out to determine the number of households which will benefit from the second phase of this project.”