Franschhoek Tatler - November 2020

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Page 5 Michaelangelo Awards

Page 11 Tennis Talent

Page 13 Q&A: Craig Blewett

FRANSCHHOEK’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AND ADVERTISER SINCE 1994 • NOVEMBER 2021

Mayor Slates Eskom Computerised & General Dentistry

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In a statement, released on 13 October 2021, Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Adv. Gesie van Deventer slated Eskom for their failure to repair equipment, thus leaving the municipality at risk of total darkness. The mayor stated that Eskom’s lack of maintenance puts Stellenbosch Municipality at risk of being left in complete darkness. “There are three Eskom transformers supplying electricity to our region, but only one is currently in operation. In January of this year, a transformer went offline due to vandalism. Shockingly this hasn’t been restored yet. Two weeks ago, another transformer failed and left areas without electricity for several hours. This transformer is also still offline. That leaves the entire electrical load feeding our towns on only one transformer. If this one fails, our towns will be in complete darkness,” she explained. She continued to say: “Stellenbosch is now in a predicament that could leave our municipality, one of the largest economies in the province, with popular tourist attractions and one of the best universities in Africa without power for days or weeks on end. It is unacceptable that taxpayers who contribute to the national fiscus and thus Eskom must endure this.” The mayor’s statement coincided with a period when Eskom seemed to be load shedding haphazardly rather than according to a fixed schedule. This happened after Eskom informed the municipality that the entire municipal area would shed at the same time only for it not to happen – at least, not as announced. Mayor Van Deventer pointed out that businesses and residents incur great losses when they can’t plan around load shedding. She called on Eskom’s management to urgently provide clear timeframes for repairing the broken transformers and a schedule for load shedding that they will stick to. Alternatively, she said, they should allow the municipality to take over all Eskom services in the municipal area. The municipality announced, in January, that they want to invest in alternative energy sources, co-generate electricity and break the Eskom monopoly. A report on the viability of various proposals, including solar panels, the conversion of methane gas into the much less harmful carbon dioxide, allowing the public to generate electricity and sell this to the municipality and the purchasing of electricity directly from registered independent power producers (IPPs) will serve before the council in the coming months. The Western Cape Government assists the municipality as part of the Municipal Energy

Resilience (MER) Programme. The statement also mentioned that the first solar panels will be installed on municipal properties by the end of this year and are expected to produce approximately 600kW. Furthermore, 180 individual small scale embedded generation (SSEG) applications have already been received from the public for photovoltaic systems (PV systems). The total installed capacity of these projects is estimated to be 3400kW. These PV systems, together with municipal solar panels will be able to generate an estimated 4MW (4000kW). To keep the lights on during Level 1 or 2 load shedding the municipality will have to reach a target of cogenerating 7MW. Residents and businesses who wish to apply for SSEG licenses are invited to Victor Dyusha by emailing Victor.Dyusha@stellenbosch.gov.za for more information. In conclusion, the mayor said: “I want to assure residents that any decisions taken around our approach will be open for public participation, will serve before the council, and made with their best interests at heart. It is important to note that this programme will be implemented incrementally to ensure that it does not place undue stress on our budget. Know that we are on your side and that our main aim is to keep our businesses open to protect jobs and livelihoods.”

Dr Taban. Pulmonologist. The child refugee who walked 6400km from South Sudan to find freedom in South Africa.

It is those who live their lives remarkably who inspire our own. Franschhoek Winelands 021 876 2100

Text: Editorial Desk | Image: Pixabay

La Motte Tasting Room Tuedays to Saturdays: 09:00 – 17:00 / Sundays: 11:00 – 17:00 Contact: 021 876 8820 | tasting@la-motte.co.za Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant ´A la carte lunch: Wednesdays to Sundays Contact: 021 876 8800 | pierneef@la-motte.co.za La Motte Museum Tuesdays to Sundays: 09:00 – 17:00 Art Experience on Tuesdays: 10:00 – 11:00 (reservations essential) Historic Walk on Wednesdays: 10:00 – 11:00 (reservations essential) Sculpture Walk on Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 (reservations essential)

La Motte invites you to experience its beautiful Franschhoek Valley setting, historical charm, stylish offering in the enjoyment of wine, cuisine and the arts, its environmental care and, above all, its people’s warm spirit of sharing.

La Motte Hiking Trail Mondays to Saturdays: 09:00 – 14:00 Contact: 021 876 8820 | tasting@la-motte.co.za

Visit our Farm Shop for a take-home reminder of La Motte. Join us for one of our monthly Classical Music Concerts. Visit www.la-motte.com for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you to La Motte!

www.la-motte.com


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