City powers hundreds more Nomzamo homes in multi million rand investment

04 February 2026

The City has connected almost 400 homes in its latest informal settlement electrification project in Nomzamo. This is one of the largest electrification projects in recent years, connecting 395 homes in the informal settlement, to the electricity grid with more connections planned.

‘We are enormously excited to celebrate this remarkable project with the community of the New Village Informal Settlement in Nomzamo, which saw 395 homes connected to the formal electricity grid for the first time.

‘The R4,9 million project is one of our most significant initiatives in recent years, bringing our total investment in electrification projects to over R35,6 million, completing 2 629 home connections in recent years. This not only demonstrates the City’s caring approach to delivering dignified and reliable electricity services to all communities, but is also an example of the dedication of our officials and contractors who pulled off this project in just six months.

‘Even as we celebrate this achievement, we know there is more to be done. That is why I am pleased to share that our teams are planning a further 304 connections. Importantly, the formal electricity connections will also see residents in this area benefit from the City’s subsidised lifeline tariff, which includes up to 60 free basic electricity units on their prepaid purchases monthly, reducing overall household costs.

‘The Energy Directorate’s electrification projects form part of the City’s broader commitment to upgrading informal settlements and to ensuring communities receive equitable access to essential infrastructure and services. We thank all teams for their hard work, all stakeholders and most importantly, the community for partnering with us to deliver this major project to the area,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.

Safe electricity for the community

Access to electricity brings multiple benefits to the community. Families will be able to light their homes safely, reducing the reliance on candles and paraffin, which pose significant fire risks. School learners and university students will be able to study in the evenings with proper lighting, while homes can refrigerate food and use essential appliances.

In addition to the electricity connections, beneficiaries will also receive an allocation of up to 60 units of Free Basic Electricity (FBE) on the City’s subsidised Lifeline Tariff.

The Municipal Finance Management Act determines that public money cannot be used for the enhancing of private property and the City can only assist backyarders and informal settlement dwellers residing on City-owned property and where site conditions allow for this. The City continues to seek ways to invest greater resources in driving electrification projects for backyarders and residents in informal settlements, where feasible and also with Eskom, where applicable. In older, City-supplied informal settlements, almost 100% of settlements have been electrified where it has been feasible to do so.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office