There was joy when the Makhado Municipality officially launched the electrification project at Donkerhoek Village in the Mulima area last Friday. Community members were overjoyed when they saw the electric light for the first time in their households after so many years of waiting.

The village´s 558 households now have electricity. "The time of using paraffin lights is now a thing of the past. We had long been waiting for this day to come. We have been waiting for electricity for years and we are happy that what has always been a dream to us has came true," said one of the beneficiaries, Ms Gladys Lebese.

She said it was tough to live without electricity. "We were forced to travel long distances to collect firewood every day, so that we could cook for our families," said Lebese. Two years ago, two children burnt to death after using candles for lighting.

The acting mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi, said the government was committed to taking services to the people. He said the project started in 2009, when they managed to electrify 368 households. "Those who still do not have electricity must not feel left out. We are committed to bringing service to the people and they will also have electricity soon," said Mutavhatsindi.

Healso said people must use electricity wisely and they must stay away from tampering with electricity, stealing electricity cables and throwing objects on power lines. "We don´t want to see people connecting electricity illegally," he said.