Using paraffin lamps in several remote villages will be a thing of the past, as the Thulamela Municipality electrified 84 households of Dovheni Village outside Malamulala town last Friday.

Since the development of Dovheni Village in 1982, people have been using paraffin lamps and fire wood at their homes. Thulamela Municipality spokesperson Mr Ndwamato Tshiila said residents of Dovheni contributed R1 000 for each household, totalling R84 000, and the municipality contributed R210 000. The whole project costs R294 000.

According to the local traditional leader, Mr Tshinetise Mulindathavha, Dovheni resorts under the Mulenzhe territorial council and most of the people are unemployed, and they depend on stock farming. Some are earning a living by working on the 54-hectare community irrigation scheme.

The launching of electricity at Dovheni was conducted by Mayor Thivhulawi Makumbane, who advised the people of Dovheni to use electricity with respect. The mayor said there are many villages that are going to be electrified.

About 500 households were electrified at Manamani Village last week where the community contributed R500 000, and the municipality contributed R1,3 million rands. The whole project cost R1,8 million.

“We have already electrified 17 villagers within a short period of time, and the design has been approved to electrified Tshivhiludulu, Maphayeni and Maphophe Villages. We are also busy constructing the tarred road at Shayandima and Makwarela locations. The landfill site is al-most completed at Muledane Village.”

Eskom representative Mr Mbulaheni Singo said it was time for communities to develop themselves because there is electricity. He further said people must use electricity wisely and they must stay away from tampering with electricity, stealing electricity cables and throwing object on power lines.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mamaila Makhubela said she is over the moon because she didn’t expect that she would one day switch on the lights in her home. “Since I came to settle at Dovheni Village in 1985, there had been no development. The area was bushy, and it was not easy to go out during the night.” She promised that she would use electricity with respect.