North Coast estates join forces in response to municipal electricity crisis
Some of the North Coast's leading estates have joined forces to collectively lobby for improved electricity supply.
The Residential Estate Electrical Task Team (REETT) was formed in late January in response to the damaging electricity crisis on KwaDukuza's southern grid. It includes representatives from Zimbali, Simbithi, Brettenwood, Dunkirk, Prince's Grant and Seaward estates, among others.
The task team should not be confused with the KDM Electrical Task Team, also founded this year in response to the crisis, which includes some estate representation alongside the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce and the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) itself. Unlike REETT, the municipal task team has a broader, regional mandate.
'The [power] disruptions highlighted the urgent need for structured collaboration between estates, municipal authorities and Eskom to prevent similar disruptions in future, particularly during peak seasons such as Easter and year-end holidays,' said the REETT in a recent statement.
'Recognising that each estate faces unique challenges within the broader municipal framework, the REETT was created to work collaboratively with KDM and Eskom, ensuring estates have a platform to engage proactively on issues of electrical infrastructure management, maintenance and upgrades.'
Meetings will be held at least quarterly.
The task team's primary objectives include:
Operational and technical contributions:
Providing expert input to improve service delivery and infrastructure sustainability.
Enhanced communication protocols: Establishing clear, reliable channels for managing power outages and updates.
Collaboration with KDM and Eskom: Developing co-governance models for shared maintenance and upgrades.
Participation in the KwaDukuza Electrical Task Team: Aligning estate-level initiatives with broader municipal and business chamber strategies.
Legal and regulatory compliance: Ensuring all interventions adhere to NERSA and other regulatory requirements.
Building trust and transparency: Strengthening relationships between KDM and residential estates to advocate effectively for homeowners' interests.
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