PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
23 April 2025
Residential Estate Electrical Task Team Tackles KZN North Coast Electrical Infrastructure Challenges
Ballito, 23 April 2025 – In response to ongoing electrical infrastructure challenges that have significantly impacted homeowners, businesses, and the broader economy in the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) region, a coordinated initiative involving leading North Coast estates has resulted in the formation of the Residential Estate Electrical Task Team. Emerging from initial engagements by Zimbali Estate alongside the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (DOCRRA), the iLembe Business Chamber, and other stakeholders, the task team is a dedicated body committed to addressing infrastructure concerns and working towards long-term service reliability.
The task team was established following a Collaboration and Information Sharing Meeting held at Zimbali Estate on 27 January 2025, as a direct response to widespread and prolonged power outages in December 2024. The 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.
Recognising that each estate faces unique challenges within the broader municipal framework, the Residential Estate Electrical Task Team 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. And while the task team does not claim to represent all residential estates along the KZN North Coast, it operates as a collaborative platform for estates seeking proactive engagement and solutions on electrical infrastructure issues, which can benefit all residential estates in the KZN North Coast region.
The task team’s primary objectives include:
The Task Team includes representatives from leading estates such as Zimbali Estate, Simbithi Eco-Estate, Brettenwood Coastal Estate, Dunkirk Estate, Princes Grant Golf Estate, Port Zimbali Estate, Seaward Estates Master Homeowners Association and others. Participation is voluntary, with estates determining their level of involvement.
The formation of this Task Team underscores the commitment of residential estates to proactively engage with municipal and business stakeholders to improve electrical service reliability. This initiative is not about challenging municipal leadership but about fostering constructive collaboration to ensure sustainable infrastructure solutions for all.
Meetings will be held at least quarterly, with reporting cycles aligned to regional governance structures. While the Task Team has no formal decision-making power over municipal assets, it will serve as an advisory and advocacy group to drive meaningful improvements.
Zimbali Estate’s CEO, Francois Schoeman, said, “By working together, residential estates, KDM, Eskom, and the business sector can create a more resilient, future-ready electrical network that benefits residential estates, and supports the economic and social well-being of the entire region.”
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For further information, please contact:
Michelle Larkens
Tel: +27 (0)32 5384300
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