News

Speech by Executive Mayor – Cederberg

To be delivered on-site in Clanwilliam

Embargoed till 10h00  -  24 May 2024

LET’S SWITCH ON ALL THE LIGHTS:  R100 million electrical infrastructure project  implemented in Clanwilliam-Cederberg

Opening remarks at sod-turning ceremony for the Clanwilliam Electrical Sub-Station by Executive Mayor of Cederberg Municipality, Dr Ruben Richards.  24 May 2024

Colleagues, contractors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:  Good morning

Today is yet another significant day – in fact another history-making day - in the life of the Cederberg Municipality.  Today, we are gathered to conduct what is traditionally described as a sod-turning ceremony, also known as a groundbreaking ceremony which marks the start of the building of the Electrical Sub-Station for Clanwilliam – part of a larger R100m electrical infrastructure upgrade program for our municipality.

Today’s event showcases what is possible when a committed team – both the political and administrative sides – join hands to improve service delivery for our people.

Today, of course, is a day to talk electricity – possibly a swear word in South Africa at the moment.  And let’s not use the “L” word - loadshedding.  And so, for the purposes of this speech I have chosen the title: Let’s switch on all the lights.  Because that is what we will be able to do after we have completed the R100 million investment in the electrical infrastructure of the Cederberg.

Electricity is something very few of us understand and yet something none of us can live without.  But before I get into that detail of this electrical infrastructure upgrade project, indulge me a moment to inform those who may not know, that within the past months and weeks it has been my honour, as Mayor of the Cederberg, to be a part of the making of history in this region.  As Mayor, on behalf of council and the administration, I took delivery of equipment and machinery that will greatly enhance our ability to provide the kind of services we wish to provide for our residents.  I have recently taken delivery of a small fleet of yellow construction equipment (i.e. bulldozer and two TLBs [tractor, loader, backhoe] commonly referred to as digger loaders).  I have also taken delivery of a new garbage truck – the first in more than a decade.  And two weeks ago, I took delivery of 10 new bakkies.  Within a few weeks, I will take delivery of a new water truck which we have just ordered.  All of these pieces of machinery enhances our ability to deliver better quality services to our residents.  This afternoon I will conduct an inspection the sewerage upgrade work that is currently underway, also here in Clanwilliam. 

We have a number of other projects in the pipeline about which I will inform the public a bit later in the year including water purification, building of roads, as well as other infrastructure such as the building of a transfer station for waste management and the repurposing of some of our assets (e.g. parks and recreation spaces) for the benefit of our residents.  We will also be making more industrial and residential erven available, all in the interests of improving the lives of our people and attracting investment into our area.

But perhaps the most significant recent accomplishment and miracle took place last week (i.e. 14 May 2024) when council approved the first funded budget which I, as Mayor, tabled.   I have been told by those who know the history of the municipality that my funded budget was the first for the Cederberg municipality since 2011.  It is a sad fact that when we were voted into office following the outcome of the 2021 (LGE) Local Government Elections, we, the Cederberg Eerste-led coalition, found a bankrupt, mismanaged and demoralised municipality.  However, with strong fiscal discipline, singularity of purpose, and an appreciation for our employees, we have managed to turn around this ailing municipality.  Our mantra (and vision) both during campaigning and as we govern is our desperate desire for: Clean Water, Clean Towns and Clean Administration.  Today’s sod-turning ceremony is a further testament to what can be achieved when everyone pulls in the same direction.

I am therefore pleased and proud to announce that the Cederberg municipality is on the mend and open for business. 

Allow me a few moments to summarise today’s project and the milestones it has miraculously achieved.  First, let me clarify that the provision of electricity and related infrastructure is not the responsibility of the municipality but instead Eskom.  Second, the building of this sub-station is phase 2 of a larger Eskom electrical infrastructure upgrade project for our area which includes the supply and installation of a 66kV overhead line from Graafwater to Clanwilliam, which was phase 1.  Third, the combined budget for phases 1 & 2 is just over R100 million.  I am happy to report that there has already been some savings during phase 1 – probably also a first.   But the point I want to make here is about timing and not budget. 

Again, by way of context, I remind you that Clanwilliam like the whole of the Cederberg is rural and dominated by an agricultural-based economy which includes commercial citrus farming, rooibos tea farming and processing as well as potato farming with some grapes thrown in for good measure.  Our coastal towns of Elands Bay and Lamberts Bay are renowned for its sea-based industries.  The Cederberg municipality with its 6 wards (including Citrusdal, Wupperthal, Clanwilliam, Graafwater, Lamberts Bay) is the second largest municipality in the Western Cape in geographical size covering an area of 8000 square kilometers.

For the benefit of the historians in our midst, allow me to bring to your attention that Clanwilliam not only serves as the main/head town of the Cederberg Municipality but is also the 7th oldest town in South Africa.  One can therefore expect that the infrastructure of this town and also that of the surrounding towns and villages which constitute our municipal area are in desperate need of upgrading and ongoing maintenance.  Eskom’s plan was to upgrade the Graafwater-Clanwilliam overhead line and build the Clanwilliam sub-station – that plan was meant to start only in 2027 with an optimistic completion date of around the year 2035. 

Our municipal technical and financial team, like their Mayor who stands before you, suffer from the same disease – impatience – and therefore could not wait for 2035 for a better and more reliable supply of electricity to our municipality.  The team proactively, speedily and miraculously managed to procure funding and contractors, and today we stand here probably a good 10 years ahead of schedule.  I thank those who have held office before my arrival and who had the vision to approve this project. I wish to congratulate our team for their foresight, determination and commitment to service delivery.  The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy through DORA (Division of Revenue Act) allocated funds in respect of the supply and installation of a 66kV overhead line from Graafwater to Clanwilliam (phase 1) and the construction of a new 66/11kV substation in Clanwilliam and the new 66kV feeder in Graafwater substation (phase 2).

For the project management people (or junkies) here today, you will be pleased to learn that the project started with boots on the ground and the construction of the overhead line commencing in October 2022.  Funding discussions of course predated this by a few years.  But the installation of the Graafwater-Clanwilliam overhead line was done in record time.  It is my hope that the building of the substation will also take place in record time.  I am hoping that we will be invited back to this site within 12-18 months to witness the completion of this phase 2 of the project. I know it is optimistic.  But I also know what can be done when a team pulls in the same direction. 

I want the contractors and our municipal staff to know that I want to see this sub-station fully functional as soon as possible.  I do understand some of the challenges and obstacles that must be overcome to achieve such ambitious timelines.  I am pleased to learn that the long-lead items required for this sub-station have already been ordered.  I am aware that some of these items need to be procured locally and internationally and that some parts have to be customed built for purpose.  If I can be of any assistance to chase up the delivery of these items please do not hesitate to ask. Or is that considered interfering in administration!

It stands to reason and goes without saying that the completion of this project which includes the overhead line and Clanwilliam substation and the other projects in our pipeline will be an enormous economic boost and advantage for Clanwilliam and the Cederberg region as a whole. These projects combined will enable Clanwilliam and the Cederberg region at large to attract investors and investment funding, accommodate development and growth, and signal that the Cederberg is a preferred investment destination – something that can only benefit the residents of the Cederberg.

The advantages and benefits of a completed Clanwilliam Sub-Station should be clear for all to see.  But allow me to state what may not be as obvious to the untrained eye.  Let us take cognisance of the technical improvements as we develop an appreciation for this project.

First, the capacity of the new Clanwilliam substation will be 10MVA as opposed to the current 4.7MVA. The current capacity exceeds the notified maximum demand (NMD).  Our new substation therefore solves that challenge.  It may be instructive to note here that Citrusdal has sufficient electrical capacity and that for Lamberts Bay we have made application for an increase of the notified maximum demand threshold from its current 2,7MVA to a 3,3MVA.  Eskom is looking favourably upon this application. 

Second, the supply and installation of a 66kV overhead line from Graafwater to Clanwilliam (i.e. phase 1) ensures that the municipality is able to disconnect from the troublesome Eskom feeders at Zandberg and Graafwater. The disconnection from the Eskom feeders will bring stability to the municipality’s ability to deliver more reliable and sustainable electricity supply to Clanwilliam.

Colleagues, I have taken more time than I should have for what was meant to be a short sod-turning ceremonial speech.  Please forgive me. But I think you can appreciate why today is so significant for us here in Clanwilliam and the Cederberg at large.

Therefore, with these many words, allow me to join hands with you as we turn the soil and celebrate, in anticipation, another milestone achievement for the Cederberg municipality.

I thank you.

ends

[1] FROM BANKRUPTCY TO A FUNDED BUDGET: The intricate balance between economic growth, fiscal sustainability, and service delivery excellence.    Budget speech delivered by the Executive Mayor, Dr Ruben Richards, to a full sitting of the Cederberg Municipal Council held in Clanwilliam Council Chambers on 14 May 2024. 

[2] The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, through its Integrated National Electrification Programme grant (INEP) allocated R17 million in 2021/2022, R22 million in 2022/2023 and R35 million in the 2023/2024 financial year. An amount of R13 469 million will be paid in 2024/2025 financial year.