SERVICE delivery is still a huge challenge in some areas such as Thembaluvhilo in Nzhelele outside Thohoyandou, Limpopo.
Residents have been without electricity for more than 10 years, and they believe they are being denied their rights.
Takalo Magada (40) told Daily Sun it is not easy to live in darkness, especially for pupils.
“Our children are forced to read their books and do school work in the dark using candles. How can they perform well under these conditions?" said Takalo.
The villagers said they are tired of living in fear as criminals take advantage of the darkness.
Agnes Lidzhegu (39) said government is failing people.
She said when the country heads towards elections, politicians make promises and sing one song of service delivery.
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"But they all disappear after we vote and our lives are still the same. We have spent over 10 years without electricity. We are not even sure if we will ever get electricity. This government spends millions celebrating holidays such as Human Rights Day instead of using the money to provide us with the services we need,” she said.
They said some of the villagers have now installed solar panels.
Thomas Mulifo (31) said people have lost hope of ever getting electricity.
“Others have brought generators with money they don’t have. They are now struggling to pay back the money because most of them are unemployed or earn peanuts,” he said.
The residents said they tried to engage with the Makhado Municipality and Eskom countless times with no success.
Municipal spokesman Louis Bobodi said: "Residents need to go through their ward councillor for their village to be prioritised for electrification.”
Eskom spokesman Ntshaveni Nenguda said they get priority lists from municipalities.
