Ward 04 councillor Simon Molefe says ongoing transformer replacements across the community are helping improve electricity supply and reduce the long waiting periods residents previously faced without power.
Speaking after overseeing the installation of transformers in the community on Monday, Molefe said the programme has been running since 2021 and remains one of the ward’s major service delivery priorities.
“The replacement of transformers is an ongoing process which started in 2021 when we entered office. To date in Ward 04 we have replaced approximately 50 plus transformers and we are only left with five transformers to be replaced,” said Molefe.
Residents in several parts of the ward have struggled with electricity challenges for years, with some communities reportedly spending long periods without power before interventions were introduced.
“Community members used to stay three to four years without electricity before we were elected, but now the waiting period has been reduced significantly,” he said.
Molefe explained that meter boxes and cables have already been installed in some affected areas and communities are now waiting for the remaining transformers to be delivered and connected.
The newly installed transformers are expected to help address outages, overloads and illegal electricity connections that have placed pressure on the network over the years.
“Installation of new transformers reduces load reduction because in most parts of the ward where new transformers were installed we see fewer electricity interruptions,” he said.
Molefe added that electricity remains one of the ward’s top priorities because of the impact outages have on residents, especially school children.
“It is difficult and costly to live without electricity and mostly affects school children with their studies. We will never rest until all communities have electricity,” he said.
Apart from electricity infrastructure, the ward is also prioritising several other service delivery projects expected to move forward once the City budget is approved and funding allocations are finalised.
Among the projects in the pipeline are roads and stormwater upgrades, blue pipe installation, sewer upgrades, solar highmast installation, bulk stormwater infrastructure, issuing of outstanding title deeds, completion of unfinished houses and the reblocking of informal settlements.
Molefe said the ward is also focusing on youth and women development programmes, SMME empowerment and support for NPOs, NGOs and ECD centres through partnerships with government departments, entities and the private sector.
He also highlighted the importance of the Orange Farm Renewal programme, previously known as the Turnkey Project, which was discontinued after changes in government leadership between 2016 and 2021.
“We hope programmes such as Orange Farm Renewal continue because they have the potential to bring major infrastructure progress to Orange Farm,” said Molefe.
