On Wednesday, 22 August 2018, Executive Mayor – Patricia de Lille visited Philippi East where the City of Cape Town has finished installing a high-mast light which will benefit the residents of Marikana informal settlement.
The 30-metre high-mast light, which is erected on City-owned land on the boundary of the settlement along Sheffield Road, has officially been switched on.
It is one of five such lights to be installed on the periphery of the informal settlement to improve safety in the area.
The installation of the lights to improve safety in the community is in line with our commitment in the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan (ODTP) to be responsive to the needs of our communities.
Previously the municipality could not provide this lighting but, following discussions with the Airports Company of South Africa, the City was granted permission to erect the five high-mast lights.
With the first high-mast light completed, the City and the contractor will be working to have the four remaining structures erected as soon as possible to ensure optimal lighting for the residents of Marikana.
The City is in the process of identifying land for the relocation of families who are presently situated on the road reserve where the other four lights will be located.
In total, the City will invest just over R2 million of its Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) to fund the installation of the five high-mast lights.
The high-mast light installation forms part of an agreement with the South African Police Service to bring extra light to the community to enhance visibility and assist police in crime prevention operations.
The City provided jobs and much-needed skills training for possible future employment opportunities by appointing local residents to assist in the project.
The contractor is employing three local residents per mast for the excavation of the mast bases. In addition, the contractor that is installing the supply cables to the masts is employing between 10 and 13 residents per cable installation as part of the Extended Public Works Programme.
I am grateful to the community leadership, City officials and councillors who have worked hard to make this project possible. It is testament of how progress can be made when local government and communities work together.
It will not be the last time the City will work with the people of the Marikana informal settlement. The leadership of the City is always available to have engagements with all residents of Cape Town about issues in their communities so that we can continue making progress possible together.