Wolmaransstad - The Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, engaged with Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Leadership on future energy solutions at the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality's Disaster Risk Management Centre Offices
The District Municipality said, the engagement marked a significant step towards shaping a more sustainable and energy-resilient future, as the Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, visited the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality Disaster Centre
The Minister was warmly hosted by District Mayor Cllr Nikiwe Num, and was joined by the Mayors, Municipal Managers, MMCs, Chief of Staffs, and senior managers from the three local municipalities. The visit was part of an ongoing dialogue to explore urgent solutions to the region’s electricity challenges
Last year, Mayor Num introduced the visionary Waste-To-Energy Programme — a project still in the pipeline but promising to turn environmental waste into electricity
Maquassi Hills is among municipalities in the District that are part of the Waste-To-Energy project
During the meeting, the District presented a costed plan on behalf of all Maquassi Hills, Matlosana and JB Marks municipalities, focusing on the upgrading of bulk electricity infrastructure.
Key challenges identified included:
Ongoing electricity theft
Delapidated and underutilized infrastructure
Frequent power outages
Tampering with electrical meters
In his address, Minister Ramokgopa highlighted the rising cost of primary electricity and emphasized the need for these 3 municipalities to adapt through “Greening of the Electrons” — repurposing and transitioning toward clean energy solutions
He further explained how municipalities can generate revenue by involving communities in the rollout of smart electricity meters, encouraging payment responsibility and long-term sustainability.
One of the powerful insights shared was the region’s vast, underutilized land, which he described as a blessing. With the North West's excellent solar potential, the Minister urged local leadership to tap into solar energy, installing systems that could bring reliable power to communities and relieve pressure on the national grid.
He concluded the session with a profound message:
“We must start today. Many people fail because they wait for perfection before they begin. Let's allow room for mistakes we’ll learn as we go. But if we wait for perfection, we’ll never achieve anything"
The District said, this inspiring visit reminds us all that energy reform is not just about cables and infrastructure it's about leadership, community involvement, and bold decisions to build a better tomorrow
Powered by: Blogger
Updated: June 2025
#WolmaransstadLinkNews
