Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
In a significant step toward improving service delivery and closing infrastructure gaps, the City of Johannesburg has allocated R296 million to electrify informal settlements across the metropolitan area. The move, announced by Mayor Dada Morero, aims to provide thousands of households in under-resourced areas with legal, safe, and sustainable access to electricity.
The initiative, part of the city’s R83.1 billion budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year, prioritizes critical infrastructure development with a strong focus on equity. Informal settlements such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, and Kaya Sands are among those earmarked for electrification under the new funding. These communities have long suffered from poor or non-existent energy infrastructure, often relying on illegal connections that endanger lives and damage the broader electrical grid.
According to Tshifularo Mashava, CEO of City Power, electrifying informal settlements is not just about providing electricity it’s about restoring dignity and enabling socio-economic progress. “Illegal connections pose serious safety hazards and lead to frequent outages and infrastructure damage,” she said. “Our mission is to ensure that everyone in Johannesburg, regardless of where they live, has access to reliable and safe energy.”
The city has already made notable progress. In the 2023/24 financial year, City Power successfully connected 2,675 homes across seven informal settlements, exceeding its target of 2,500. Areas like Alexandra, Slovo Park, and Kliptown now benefit from formalized power supply and prepaid meters, allowing residents to access energy legally and more affordably.
The city’s broader electrification strategy also includes innovative hybrid energy solutions, particularly in high-density settlements where traditional grid infrastructure is difficult to install. In Setjwetla near Alexandra, for example, over 1,600 homes have been electrified at a cost of R30 million. Similarly, in Thembelihle near Lenasia, more than 7,000 households have received prepaid meters, solar energy access, and gas stoves, with the project costing over R90 million.
Johannesburg is home to an estimated 181 informal settlements comprising over 180,000 households. The city’s focus on electrifying these areas is not only a response to urgent service delivery needs but also a vital step toward promoting inclusive urban development. The electrification programme is expected to reduce fire hazards caused by unsafe electrical setups and improve overall safety, education outcomes, and economic opportunities for residents.
To support long-term success, the city is also urging residents to protect infrastructure and report vandalism. Community involvement will be crucial to maintaining the new systems and preventing a return to dangerous illegal connections.
The R296 million allocation signals Johannesburg’s growing commitment to inclusive urban development. If successfully implemented, it could serve as a model for other South African cities grappling with the challenges of informal urban growth and infrastructure backlogs.
As the programme rolls out, Johannesburg is not only illuminating homes but also paving the way for a more equitable, connected, and resilient future.
