The fighting spirit of patriotism, sacrifice and collectivity finally paid off for 18 communities who were honoured by the Thulamela Municipality on Friday. The communities were recognized for being exemplary in municipal electrification partnerships, which started in 2001.

The council chambers of the municipality resembled a feast platform as community members jubilantly danced and ululated while Mayor Thivhulawi Makumbane presented them with special trophies and certificates.

Mademeni, Masiwani, Tshitumbe, Hagondo, Thohoyandou Unit K, Thohoyandou K Ext, Muraga, Thohoyandou Unit Q, Makuleke, Mavhiligwe, Manamani, Dovheni, Mbahela, Jilongo, Maname, Tshiheni, Mukumbani and Makwerela Ext/Mbaleni communities have risen above all odds to display what hard work, dedication and the sense of ownership are all about.

The electrification partnership between Thulamela Municipality and its communities was born by default in 2001 when the community of Mademeni in Tshiheni village, led by their visionary traditional leader, Mphalaleni Nevondo, realized that their village was not, in terms of the IDP process, in line for electrification in the foreseeable future. Each of the 72 households decided to contribute R500 and they collected a total of R36 000 and then approached the Thulamela Municipality for assistance. The total amount required to electrify the village was R350 895,25. The municipality had no option but to counter-fund the villagers by R314 895,25. The project was launched by the then MEC for Local Government and Housing, Joe Maswanganyi. The agreement with Eskom was that, on completion of the project, the customers and the network were to be handed over to Eskom, which then becomes responsible for the maintenance of the electrical network and the servicing of the resulting customers.

Before handing out trophies and certificates, Mayor Thivhulawi Makumbane said the municipality decided to honor the community as an acknowledgement of their dedication in community development. He said their hard work has set an example to other communities outside the borders of Thulamela who are also developing partnership with their municipalities as they follow suit. Makumbane says the municipality is doing its best to bring electricity to its inhabitants through partnerships, although it has not yet been considered for an electricity-distribution licence.

Makumbane added that the effects of the partnerships have succeeded in placing the Thulamela Municipality on the national map. “In December 2004, the Minister of the Department of Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sidney Mufamadi, gave special recognition to the communities of Thulamela for being exemplary in complementing their delivery of social services in the form of the Vuna Special Performance Excellence Award. This was followed by a very huge celebration in Tshaulu in June 2004 where Premier Sello Moloto addressed more than 10 000 people who attended. To cap the significance of the partnership, the Muraga village later scooped the Impumelelo Award at a ceremony held in Cape Town last year.”

Makumbane concluded by expressing appreciation for the economic benefits brought about by the electricity partnerships. “Economic benefits include the use of electrical equipment and upgrading of spaza shops in the rural areas. Communities can now afford to buy perishables and store them in their own homes in the refrigerators, to name but a few. About 80% of the households are now benefiting from the free basic electricity.”