It was an exciting moment for the residents of Tshikuwi village in Nzhelele, who had been living without electricity for a long time, when the Solar Vision Company, in partnership with the Makhado Municipality, handed brand new solar panels to them last Friday.

It was a dream come true for these residents who are in Ward 36 of the Makhado Municipality. The experience was exciting for many residents, including a mother of two, Ms Johanna Ratshitshi. Like several other residents, she danced and ululated as a way of celebrating the new development. "It is indeed the happiest moment of my life. Life without any means of energy was very difficult for me," she said.

Ratshitshi added that it was difficult for her children to do their homework or study at night as they only relied on a candle for light. "Things will be much better now and hopefully it will also impact positively on their school results," she added.

She also expressed her appreciation to both Solar Vision and the Makhado Municipality. Other residents who spoke to Limpopo Mirror also shared the same sentiments. They said that when they moved to the area it was difficult as they only relied on paraffin lamps and with the current high cost of paraffin, life was difficult. Most of the residents in the area are unemployed and only rely on their child grants for a living.

According to the councillor for Ward 36, Cllr Mbulaheni Magada, residents will only be expected to pay a monthly fee of R28. "We are happy that the government is committed to rendering good services to the people," said Magada.

Residents are still faced with the serious challenge of a water shortage. Magada, who is also staying in the same area, said that this problem would soon be a thing of the past. "The municipality has just completed the construction of a water reservoir in the area that will be supplied with water from boreholes.”