THE sickly old woman who, three weeks ago, told Sowetan of her wish to have her home electrified has passed away.
Bedridden Clara Kgasoane, 70, of Munsieville in Mogale City, west of Johannesburg, allegedly died of a heart attack on Sunday.
Kgasoane, who had lived in darkness for the past 15 years because her and a neighbour's house were the only two left out when their neighbourhood was electrified after the 1994 election.
Sowetan first revealed Kgasoane's plight on March 9 2012.
Now we can reveal that two days after her death her house has finally been electrified.
On Tuesday morning the Mogale City council dispatched at least 20 employees to Kgasoane's house with drills, paint and electrical equipment.
By the end of the day the house had been transformed into a habitable home.
Kgasoane's daughter, Esther Mokgothu, switched on lights for the first time to the jubilation of her children and neighbours.
Mokgothu and her two children had been without electricity their entire lives though they live in an electrified township.
"My mother died with a broken spirit, but I am happy that her efforts to electrify our home were not in vain," Molgothu said.
"I hope she is now happy that her prayers have finally been answered.
"My days of candles or listening to a battery-operated radio are finally over
A neighbour, Patrick Malatsi, said: "The municipality knew about the old woman's plight but chose to ignore her pleas for electricity for all these years.
"I am disappointed at the way they handled the matter. They should have helped this poor pensioner a long time ago."
Local councillor Tlhapi Tlhage could not be reached for comment.
Electricity comes too late for pensioner
THE sickly old woman who, three weeks ago, told Sowetan of her wish to have her home electrified has passed away.
Bedridden Clara Kgasoane, 70, of Munsieville in Mogale City, west of Johannesburg, allegedly died of a heart attack on Sunday.
Kgasoane, who had lived in darkness for the past 15 years because her and a neighbour's house were the only two left out when their neighbourhood was electrified after the 1994 election.
Sowetan first revealed Kgasoane's plight on March 9 2012.
Now we can reveal that two days after her death her house has finally been electrified.
On Tuesday morning the Mogale City council dispatched at least 20 employees to Kgasoane's house with drills, paint and electrical equipment.
By the end of the day the house had been transformed into a habitable home.
Kgasoane's daughter, Esther Mokgothu, switched on lights for the first time to the jubilation of her children and neighbours.
Mokgothu and her two children had been without electricity their entire lives though they live in an electrified township.
"My mother died with a broken spirit, but I am happy that her efforts to electrify our home were not in vain," Molgothu said.
"I hope she is now happy that her prayers have finally been answered.
"My days of candles or listening to a battery-operated radio are finally over
A neighbour, Patrick Malatsi, said: "The municipality knew about the old woman's plight but chose to ignore her pleas for electricity for all these years.
"I am disappointed at the way they handled the matter. They should have helped this poor pensioner a long time ago."
Local councillor Tlhapi Tlhage could not be reached for comment.
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