Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - During his visit to Klerksdorp this week, the Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, engaged with the leadership of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District on future energy solutions.
The Minister was 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 program, a project still in the pipeline but promising to turn environmental waste into electricity.
During the meeting, the district presented a costed plan on behalf of all three municipalities, focusing on the upgrading of bulk electricity infrastructure. Challenges identified included ongoing electricity theft and tampering with electrical meters, delapidated and underutilized infrastructure and frequent power outages.
In his address, Minister Ramokgopa highlighted the rising cost of primary electricity and emphasized the need for municipalities to adapt 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.
