For the past 16 years, the community of, Phiri, Soweto, Gauteng, has been grappling with the reality of having a faulty transformer (MAP3/82), located on 82 Mokhele Street, Phiri, Soweto, that has now resulted in a complete power outage affecting 157 homes. This lack of electricity is not just a matter of inconvenience; it is a matter of life and death.

In our community, we have numerous elderly residents, many of whom are 75 years and older. They are frail and sickly, requiring oxygen, warmth, and freshly prepared meals to survive. Their health is compromised daily due to the inability to prepare hot meals or maintain a warm environment.

Moreover, we have children who need to bathe, eat, and study, facing challenges in preparing for school. They go to school on empty stomachs and struggle to complete their homework due to the inability to study in the dark nights of winter. It is heart-wrenching to witness children and the elderly suffer because of a problem that can be resolved.

The community has reached out to the ward councillor and the local Eskom office in Midway, Soweto, only to be met with dismissiveness and a lack of support. It is unacceptable that our cries for help have been ignored while the vulnerable in our community continue to suffer due to the cold and lack of basic amenities such as light and cooking facilities.

We urgently call upon Eskom and local authorities to immediately address this pressing issue by replacing the faulty transformer. This action is not just a necessity; it is a humanitarian obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of every resident affected.

We implore all compassionate and civic-minded individuals to sign this petition and support our community in getting the electricity restored. Your signature could make a significant difference in the lives of both the young and the elderly in our neighborhood. Please help us bring light back into our homes.