ANC PRESIDENT OPENS POWER STATION IN NKANDLA

25 March 2000

ANC President Jacob Zuma today opened the first ever power station in the rural community of Nkandla amid ululations and whistling from the local residents who came to witness the historic event.

The power station, which was installed by the Department of Minerals and energy to the tune of R48 million, will supply electricity to about 23 000 households within the Nkandla Local Municipality.

Zuma, who attended the event in his capacity as the former Deputy President of the Republic, told hundreds of villagers attending the opening that access to electricity were a basic right, and not a favour from government.

He said that the speedy delivery of services was fundamental as it provided people with hope for a better life.

The new government, he said, should ensure that services reach the people who need them faster.

"What government has done today in this area gives us hope. The tendency for government to take long to deliver is unacceptable. Government must listen to the people’s needs and deliver instantly. Bureaucratic delays will be a thing of the past in next government," he said.

While urban dwellers took electricity for granted, access to electricity was a life-changing experience for many rural people.

"Electricity changes lives. From today you can preserve your food through refrigeration, rather than being forced to finish all of it for fear that it will go stale. The opening of this station will also create jobs opportunities for many who had struggled with unemployment in Nkandla. I therefore urge you take good care of these public resources."

Earlier, the ANC President conducted a symbolic power switch-on at the station as well as in one of the newly electrified houses. Mrs Shezi, one of the residents whose house was recently electrified said she was excited about the opening of a power station in her area.

"I thank God for the ANC government for bringing us electricity. Although it has taken long, at the end it was worth the wait".

Zuma, who was accompanied by Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica, and KwaZulu Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele, concluded his visit by urging the department and the power utility Eskom to consider renaming the power station.

He said that the station, currently named Benedict Sub-Station, after a white mercenary priest who settled in the area many years ago, should be renamed Inkosi Siganada – the legendary Zulu Chief buried a stone’s throw from the station.

Issued by:
African National Congress

More information:
Moloto Mothapo: 082 370 6930