Dontse Yakhe, a small, lively settlement near Cape Town, has long lived in the dark, relying on dangerous candles and open flames. In 2025, 170 homes finally got connected to safe and steady electricity, changing life for the better. Now, children can study under bright lights, families keep food fresh, and local businesses grow. This simple glow brings hope, safety, and pride to a community that never gave up. It’s more than just power – it’s a spark of new life and promise.
Electrifying Dontse Yakhe transformed 170 households by providing safer, reliable power that improves safety, education, and local business. This R1.5 million project enhances food storage, reduces fire risks, supports economic growth, and symbolizes hope and dignity for this informal settlement’s residents.
Nestled on the lush outskirts of Hout Bay, within Cape Town’s diverse tapestry, lies the informal settlement of Dontse Yakhe. This pocket of Imizamo Yethu has long stood as a testament to the endurance and creativity of its residents. Shacks, crafted from corrugated metal and timber, cluster along narrow, winding alleys. Here, the daily hustle is unmistakable – children dart between homes, the scent of home-cooked meals mingles in the air, and vendors hawk their wares from improvised stalls. Despite its vibrant energy, the settlement has always faced immense challenges, particularly around basic services.
For years, electricity remained a distant dream for the people of Dontse Yakhe. The absence of reliable power forced families to rely on candles, paraffin lamps, and open flames. These makeshift solutions carried risks – fires could devastate entire rows of homes in mere minutes, and the dangers of electrocution from illegal connections hovered constantly. Children strained their eyes to finish homework under flickering light, while families worried about food spoilage and night-time safety. In such an environment, the smallest improvement can ripple out as a beacon of hope.
Yet, the people of Dontse Yakhe never gave up. Their determination set the stage for a profound change when, in August 2025, the City of Cape Town ushered in a new era by connecting 170 households to the power grid. For this community, the gentle glow of electric bulbs stands as a symbol of safety, opportunity, and renewed optimism.
The electrification of 170 homes marks more than just a technical achievement – it signals a turning point for everyday life in Dontse Yakhe. The City invested R1.5 million in this project, making a meaningful impact for hundreds of residents. The switch-on ceremony in June 2025 brought together city officials, passionate community leaders, and families who had waited years for this moment.
Nontembeko Mbikwana, whose household became one of the first to receive power, captures the collective relief and gratitude of the neighborhood. She recalls the constant worry over her children’s safety with open flames burning through the night. Now, with the simple flip of a switch, her home is safer and her children’s futures seem brighter. Moments like these echo powerful motifs from art history – where light stands for hope and possibility amid uncertainty and struggle.
Electrification brings tangible benefits. Children can now study in well-lit rooms, free from the hazards of candles and paraffin. Families can store perishable food and enjoy a greater sense of security. Local entrepreneurs, from seamstresses to barbers, now operate electric equipment, staying open longer and serving their neighbors better. The presence of reliable power supports both economic development and social wellbeing – two critical ingredients for lasting progress.
The City of Cape Town’s broader vision goes far beyond the boundaries of Dontse Yakhe. Alderman Xanthea Limberg, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, emphasizes that electrifying informal settlements is about building stronger, more resilient communities. The electrification drive in Dontse Yakhe is just one part of a comprehensive R21.4 million program for the 2025/26 financial year. This initiative targets not only informal settlements but also backyard dwellings – ensuring that a wider segment of Cape Town’s population benefits from these improvements.
This commitment holds deep historical significance. For decades, apartheid policies created a city divided by both race and infrastructure. While white suburbs enjoyed modern amenities, Black and Coloured communities faced systemic neglect, with informal settlements often left in darkness. Today, the City is working to reverse these patterns by prioritizing the electrification of older informal settlements on City-owned land. The result: nearly all such communities now have legal access to power, though some areas still await their turn due to legal and land-ownership complexities.
However, the journey is not without obstacles. The Municipal Finance Management Act restricts the use of public funds on private land, meaning only certain households qualify for these upgrades. While this policy ensures proper oversight and accountability, it leaves some residents in limbo, still reliant on unsafe and informal methods of accessing electricity. The challenge for Cape Town lies in balancing legal requirements with the urgent needs of vulnerable communities.
The successful electrification of Dontse Yakhe reflects the combined efforts of city officials, local leaders, and residents working hand in hand. Councillor Rob Quintas and Ward Councillor Zimkhitha Sulelo played pivotal roles, building trust and coordinating logistics to ensure that wiring and meters reached even the settlement’s most hidden corners. Unlike grand infrastructure projects that reshape cities from the top down, these interventions unfold through grassroots partnerships, giving residents a direct voice in their own development.
Electricity offers more than just comfort – it restores a profound sense of dignity. Each household connected to the grid receives up to 60 units of free basic power every month through the City’s Lifeline Tariff, a critical support for families on the margins. This policy echoes the spirit of ubuntu, the South African philosophy of shared humanity, and responds to Frantz Fanon’s call to redress historic injustices through tangible action.
Looking ahead, the streets of Dontse Yakhe now shimmer with fresh possibility. Children study, businesses grow, and families gather under reliable light. The project’s success demonstrates the transformative power of infrastructure – when guided by compassion, inclusive policy, and community involvement. Yet, the work is not complete. Cape Town must continue to address barriers to connection, support sustainability, and invest in the neighborhoods that need it most.
As the city moves forward, Dontse Yakhe stands as an inspiring chapter in the ongoing story of South Africa’s urban evolution. The flicker of new lights signals not just a technical milestone, but a collective leap toward equity, resilience, and shared hope for the future.
Electrifying Dontse Yakhe was a landmark event that connected 170 homes to safe, reliable electricity for the first time in 2025. This transformation replaced dangerous candles and open flames with steady electric power, significantly improving safety, education, and economic opportunities. It symbolizes hope, dignity, and a new chapter for a community that endured years without basic services.
Electricity has enhanced daily life by allowing children to study under bright, safe lighting, enabling families to preserve food with refrigeration, and reducing the risk of fires caused by open flames and unsafe wiring. Additionally, local entrepreneurs such as seamstresses and barbers can now operate electric tools, extend business hours, and contribute to economic growth within the community.
The City of Cape Town invested R1.5 million in the electrification of Dontse Yakhe, facilitating the installation of power infrastructure and meters for connected homes. This effort is part of a larger R21.4 million program focused on electrifying informal settlements and backyard dwellings across the city in the 2025/26 financial year. City officials worked closely with community leaders and residents to ensure effective implementation and foster trust.
Not all households currently qualify for electrification due to legal and land ownership issues. The Municipal Finance Management Act restricts public funds from being used to upgrade properties on private land, which means some residents remain reliant on unsafe, informal electricity access. The City continues working to balance legal constraints with the urgent need to extend safe power to vulnerable households.
The project embodies the spirit of ubuntu – a South African philosophy emphasizing shared humanity and dignity. Through the City’s Lifeline Tariff, each connected household receives up to 60 units of free basic electricity monthly, ensuring affordability for low-income families. This initiative also aligns with wider efforts to redress historical inequalities rooted in apartheid-era neglect of Black and Coloured communities.
While electrification has sparked significant progress, challenges remain. The City of Cape Town plans to continue addressing barriers such as land ownership complexities, extend legal access to electricity for all residents, and support sustainable growth in the settlement. Ongoing collaboration with community leaders, residents, and policymakers is key to ensuring that Dontse Yakhe – and other informal settlements – fully benefit from infrastructure improvements and inclusive development.
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