Date: 10/06/2005
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
Title: Mlambo-Ngcuka: Switch-on in Beaufort West Local Municipality
Draft Speaking Notes for the Minister of Minerals and Energy, During the Switch-on in Beaufort West Local Municipality
The Honourable Mayor,
The Honourable MECs,
Traditional Leadership,
The Religious Fraternity, and
Members of the community
I greet you all
Thank you all for affording me this opportunity to part of this auspicious occasion that will see Layton Primary School and the local hostel for farm dwellers this being largely a farming community energised today.
The use of all the resources at our disposal to push back the frontiers of poverty through the Integrated National Electrification Programme, the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy, Urban Renewal Strategy and the Extended Public Works Programme remains our core objective. Today, that objective is manifesting itself in the official switch-on of this Project.
Local Economic development in the area culminated in the manifestation a variety of tourist attraction activities that tourists and local people can experience by visiting:
* Karoo National Park which is 5 Km south of Beaufort West
* Ko-Ka Tsara Bush Camp which is 10 Km north-west of Beaufort West; and
* Hillandale – Riverine Rabbit Conservancy and Guest Farm which is 56 Km North of Beaufort West.
Further, the conservation of the Bushman engravings of real and dream animals on the rocks at Nelspoort - one of the largest and best preserved sites of such engravings in the Great Karoo, will add into the potential for tourism. For these activities to flourish and benefit the local community, electricity as a power source is vital and key to that happening.
Our intention is not just to ensure the provision of energy sources, but also to ensure that it translates in the enhancing the quality of life. If we allow current situation of non-delivery of electricity service to continue, we would be in fact depriving women and children of valuable time to study and develop to their full potential.
In the past electricity was a privilege only targeted to those communities, which could afford the service. Today I am proud to say that this imbalance has been destructed. The Electrification of Layton Primary School and Hostel will be seen as an exemplary to the improvement of the standard of education for all farm worker dwellers countrywide. As a Department we are moving towards what we have coined the universal access to electricity for all, to date we have electrified over 7 million households in the country with our initial target having been to have electrified R10 million households by 2010.
This project of approximately 10 km of 22 kV line costing R762 917 and, employing 12 people, is just for the electrification of Layton Primary School. The surrounding farms and farm worker houses will be electrified as part of the Central Karoo farm worker houses project.
Backup Electrification Plan for the Area
Government has allocated R1, 3 Million for the electrification of households in 2005/6 financial years. We hope that this money will electrify a fairly large number of households in the area, and further stimulate socio-economic development of the area.
Another Government initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and aiding upliftment is the provision of Free Basic Electricity (FBE). The objective of FBE services, which was launched in October 2001 as a pilot project, is to provide relief to poor households.
Similarly we are working on a Free Basic Alternative Energy Policy to subsidise those poor households, which only have access to other energy sources such as Gas.
The national free basic electricity programme commenced in July 2003, on a self targeting basis, providing 50kWh per month per legally connected point of supply on a limited current output basis. Each household connected to the Solar Home System is receiving up to R48-00 per month.
The FBE programme is funded through the Department of Provincial and Local Government for all municipalities through the equitable share allocation.
The strengthening of the quality of supply allows for electrification to be aggressively intensified, LED projects and other developments in the formal and semi-formal business sectors to be accommodated thus uplifting the standard of living for these rural communities.
I think given the government achievement since 1994 with regards to electrification, we can safely say that we are on the right track. However the task of bringing a better life for all still demands total commitment on our side. We as government will continue to fulfil our part. It is our priority to ensure that the frontiers of poverty are indeed pushed back through various interventions.
I am challenging the business community in Beaufort West to come to the party with government, with school electrified, students are at a more advantaged site, computers, science laboratories will indeed make learning easier and much more enjoyable to our children. Let us help our young ones to grow up in an environment that will educate them thus allowing them to be future leaders, movers and shakers for tomorrow and most importantly economic key players in years to come, which are near.
I Thank You All!!!
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
10 June 2005
Source: Department of Minerals and Energy
Title: Mlambo-Ngcuka: Switch-on in Beaufort West Local Municipality
Draft Speaking Notes for the Minister of Minerals and Energy, During the Switch-on in Beaufort West Local Municipality
The Honourable Mayor,
The Honourable MECs,
Traditional Leadership,
The Religious Fraternity, and
Members of the community
I greet you all
Thank you all for affording me this opportunity to part of this auspicious occasion that will see Layton Primary School and the local hostel for farm dwellers this being largely a farming community energised today.
The use of all the resources at our disposal to push back the frontiers of poverty through the Integrated National Electrification Programme, the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy, Urban Renewal Strategy and the Extended Public Works Programme remains our core objective. Today, that objective is manifesting itself in the official switch-on of this Project.
Local Economic development in the area culminated in the manifestation a variety of tourist attraction activities that tourists and local people can experience by visiting:
* Karoo National Park which is 5 Km south of Beaufort West
* Ko-Ka Tsara Bush Camp which is 10 Km north-west of Beaufort West; and
* Hillandale – Riverine Rabbit Conservancy and Guest Farm which is 56 Km North of Beaufort West.
Further, the conservation of the Bushman engravings of real and dream animals on the rocks at Nelspoort - one of the largest and best preserved sites of such engravings in the Great Karoo, will add into the potential for tourism. For these activities to flourish and benefit the local community, electricity as a power source is vital and key to that happening.
Our intention is not just to ensure the provision of energy sources, but also to ensure that it translates in the enhancing the quality of life. If we allow current situation of non-delivery of electricity service to continue, we would be in fact depriving women and children of valuable time to study and develop to their full potential.
In the past electricity was a privilege only targeted to those communities, which could afford the service. Today I am proud to say that this imbalance has been destructed. The Electrification of Layton Primary School and Hostel will be seen as an exemplary to the improvement of the standard of education for all farm worker dwellers countrywide. As a Department we are moving towards what we have coined the universal access to electricity for all, to date we have electrified over 7 million households in the country with our initial target having been to have electrified R10 million households by 2010.
This project of approximately 10 km of 22 kV line costing R762 917 and, employing 12 people, is just for the electrification of Layton Primary School. The surrounding farms and farm worker houses will be electrified as part of the Central Karoo farm worker houses project.
Backup Electrification Plan for the Area
Government has allocated R1, 3 Million for the electrification of households in 2005/6 financial years. We hope that this money will electrify a fairly large number of households in the area, and further stimulate socio-economic development of the area.
Another Government initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and aiding upliftment is the provision of Free Basic Electricity (FBE). The objective of FBE services, which was launched in October 2001 as a pilot project, is to provide relief to poor households.
Similarly we are working on a Free Basic Alternative Energy Policy to subsidise those poor households, which only have access to other energy sources such as Gas.
The national free basic electricity programme commenced in July 2003, on a self targeting basis, providing 50kWh per month per legally connected point of supply on a limited current output basis. Each household connected to the Solar Home System is receiving up to R48-00 per month.
The FBE programme is funded through the Department of Provincial and Local Government for all municipalities through the equitable share allocation.
The strengthening of the quality of supply allows for electrification to be aggressively intensified, LED projects and other developments in the formal and semi-formal business sectors to be accommodated thus uplifting the standard of living for these rural communities.
I think given the government achievement since 1994 with regards to electrification, we can safely say that we are on the right track. However the task of bringing a better life for all still demands total commitment on our side. We as government will continue to fulfil our part. It is our priority to ensure that the frontiers of poverty are indeed pushed back through various interventions.
I am challenging the business community in Beaufort West to come to the party with government, with school electrified, students are at a more advantaged site, computers, science laboratories will indeed make learning easier and much more enjoyable to our children. Let us help our young ones to grow up in an environment that will educate them thus allowing them to be future leaders, movers and shakers for tomorrow and most importantly economic key players in years to come, which are near.
I Thank You All!!!
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
10 June 2005
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
