Solar lights erected for informal settlements
The residents of N17, Kwasa and Daggafontein informal settlements got the lights installed three weeks ago to aid in their safety.
Residents of various informal settlements around Ward 76 can rest easy after having solar lights installed.
The residents of N17, Kwasa and Daggafontein informal settlements got the lights installed three weeks ago to aid in their safety.
Two lights were installed per community, making it six in total. The lights were chosen for their versatility and convenience since these areas do not have electricity.
“They will charge during the day and light up the streets to keep the residents safe at night,” said ward committee for infrastructure patrol representative, Tshepiso Moji.
Moji also said he hopes these lights will help as crime is a big problem in most informal settlements.
“People kill each other, mostly due to tribalism. We are hoping these small steps will help to alleviate some of the problems of the communities,” he added.
The Springs Advertiser approached the members of the various communities and asked them how they felt about the new additions.
“The lights do a good job of lighting up the immediate and surrounding areas but over time they become dim and switch off – it is understandable though, the sun is not as strong during the winter so they don’t charge fully,” said N17 informal settlement resident Bongani Skhosana.
Another resident said she feels safer as a woman knowing the streets are lit when she needs to run an errand at night.
“It helps as you can see the people who are walking around, I think that is important,” says Amahle Phikiso, another N17 informal settlement resident.
A Kwasa informal settlement resident agreed she feels safer now as a woman.
“We use community toilets and taps and going around at night is not safe for us.
“I do, however, wish there could be more done as they don’t last the whole night and I leave very early to go to work. Nobody is up when I am and it’s a long trek from my house to the road,” said Kwasa informal settlement resident Priscilla Mokoena.
Daggafontein resident Ofentse Rakhudu, says they need more lights as the two aren’t enough to cover the wide expanse of the area.
“Daggafontein informal settlement is large, we would need at least six more lights to feel the effects and to see measurable results, but we are grateful as a community.
“They have heard us and we finally feel seen,” he said.
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The journey was not easy as there were delays with the installations.
“There was a lot of politics and in-fighting which delayed a lot of things during the process but all that is behind us now,” said Local Economic Development representative Solly Motsoagae.
Clr Mike du Toit say these lights have been a priority for his ward.
“These lights were requested as a priority for the informal settlements last year as none of the existing lights had worked for some years due to the theft of cables,” he said.
“Money was allocated in the adjusted budgets and it was decided to use solar-powered lights as they are less vulnerable to vandalism. The local CPFs have been asked to make the protection of these lights a priority.
“It should be noted that money has become available for the grading of roads in the informal settlements and this is currently being done.”
