QWAQWA — For 16 years, electrician Ntsoaki Moloi has kept the lights on in Maluti-a-Phofung. But after three months with Eskom, she sees her job differently. Safety first. Community first.
“What we learned from Eskom was very important, especially when it came to safety,” Moloi said.
She was among 30 municipal employees who graduated this week after intensive training facilitated by Eskom — a rare win in a relationship long defined by a crippling municipal debt.
Moloi is not keeping the knowledge in the workshop. “We intend to apply our newly acquired skills in the community,” she said.
Masana Ramakau, 41, a five-year municipal veteran, agreed: “Safety was the most important lesson.”
Speaking on behalf of the class, Themba Nhlapo said the workers were honoured and grateful.
“We have learned a great deal.”
The graduation marks a turning point. Despite MAP owing Eskom hundreds of millions, the power utility is choosing to invest in its people.
“Despite naysayers saying the debt is still high, we have achieved this great milestone of empowering the staff of the municipality,” said Eskom Senior Manager for Retail in the Free State, Bibi Bedir.
“It is something the municipal administration was determined to achieve.”
The initiative, driven by Municipal Manager Mzwakhe Mofokeng, proves that progress is not just about infrastructure and transformers.
For residents tired of outages and unsafe connections, better-trained electricians could mean faster, safer, more reliable service.
Thirty certificates have been handed over. The real exam starts now — on the streets of QwaQwa, where skill, safety and service must finally meet.
