Mukhanyo has allocated around R750 000 (about US$38 000 or 35 000 euros) to prepare for the anticipated increase in electricity blackouts in South Africa over the coming year. Winter is upon us, and electricity blackouts are likely to worsen.
Due to corruption, insufficient maintenance and poor management, the state-owned electricity supplier in South Africa, ESCOM, has become an insufficient and unreliable electricity provider. This has caused load shedding to occur countrywide, resulting in power outages for several hours each day. Consequently, numerous businesses, factories, and homes have had to devise solutions such as utilising diesel generators or solar systems with inverters and batteries.
To continue with uninterrupted teaching, Mukhanyo has started taking steps to generate power for its worst affected centre, the Johannesburg campus. We are now installing 16 solar panels, an inverter, and batteries at the cost of R240 000 – producing 8 kVA.
Next in line to receive a power upgrade is the Pretoria campus. We plan to start with a large UPS inverter battery system.
Rustenburg and Durban will have similar systems, and Mukhanyo’s main campus in KwaMhlanga is currently in the fortunate position to be situated near the local hospital where load shedding is not applied. However, KwaMhlanga has another problem: increasing crime.
Improved Security Measures
Although the level of crime has been relatively low in KwaMhlanga in recent years, it is currently on the rise. On several occasions, the fence surrounding the Mukhanyo grounds has been cut and tunnelled in areas out of view of the security guard. Copper pipes have also been stolen, requiring their replacement with plastic pipes to prevent further theft.
To make matters worse, a female support staff member was recently abducted while waiting for a taxi near the front entrance. Thankfully, she was only robbed of her belongings and dropped off late at night at a cemetery.
To enhance security measures, Mukhanyo plans to install razor wire on the grounds’ fences and implement access control systems with CCTV cameras in all campuses and centres to restrict unauthorised visitors. Robust burglar-proof bars will be installed to secure buildings like offices, libraries, and computer stations. In addition, the facilities manager in KwaMhlanga will carry a pepper gas pistol for his safety. Similar measures will be implemented in other study centres.
Oliver Cromwell once advised his soldiers to pray to God and keep their gunpowder dry! Similarly, Mukhanyo is praying for divine protection whilst taking practical measures to continue its work. Please also remember Mukhanyo in your prayers, that God will grant us grace and strength to continue in our work.