Caption: (left) Energy & Electricity Minister, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa,and Mpumalanga Public Works MEC, Thulasizwe Thomo, during media interviews
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga Province is one of the provinces set to benefit from the second consignment of the emergency energy equipment unit that was recently donated by the People’s Republic of China, as part of the Technical Assistance Programme reportedly initiated during the visit by China Head of State, Xi Jinping, to South Africa in August 2023.
The first consignment was reportedly received officially by the National Department of Energy and Electricity in November 2023 and included 450 gasoline generators.
The second consignment of the  energy unit was officially handed over to the Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, at Eskom storage facility in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday 27 August.
Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport-Thulasizwe Thomo, attended the handing over ceremony of the second consignment to represent the provincial government.
The Department said, in a statement, that the donation of this consignment is a progressive gesture and significant boost to the endeavor for alternative energy solutions by the provincial government.
“ The donation of this emergency energy equipment aligns with our long-term plan of ensuring uninterrupted power supply in our government facilities which include our schools, clinics, hospitals, shared offices and other public amenities.
“ It is a timely and welcomed intervention for the people of the people of the province. We extend our sincerest appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for this generous gesture, sustained acts of economic cooperation as well as strengthened bilateral relations,” said the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport.
According to the Department of Energy and Electricity, the second consignment will be allocated to other provinces including Free State, Limpopo and North W
