By Zweli Martin Dlamini

PIETERMARITZBURG:The People’s Republic of China(PRC) has donated four hundred and fifty(450)gasoline generators to the South African Government to assist in mitigating the effects of the current load-shedding.

The donation was announced by His Excellency Chen Xiaodong,the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa and this,was during an event held last week at Pietermaritzburg in the KwaZulu-Natal Province,the event was attended by among others,Kgosientsho Ramokgopa,the Minister of Electricity and the Ambassador further pledged R150million more electricity equipment.

Addressing participants during the event,the Ambassador said, after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared load-shedding as a disaster,as a diplomatic friend of the country,they decided to act immediately and provide the much needed support.

The Ambassador further mentioned that,a lot of equipment has already been shipped to South African hospitals,schools and other public institutions.

“Even though the handover ceremony is today,a lot of equipment has already been shipped to South African hospitals,schools and other public institutions and they have all been up and running.It is worth noting that the handover of 450 gasoline generators today is only a small part of our whole package.The next batches of equipment will be worth nearly 150 million rand,which will include 5 power supply vehicles, 39 diesel generators,and 60 sets of PV storage and power supply systems.

They are also expected to be shipped to South Africa and put into use soon.We are confident that this package of equipment will make a good contribution to South Africa’s efforts to alleviate the power shortage,” said the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa.

The Ambassador further noted that, in recent years,power and energy cooperation “has increasingly become a driver and a highlight of the two countries” practical cooperation.

“Through direct investment or contracting,Chinese companies successfully participated in a number of major new energy projects in South Africa.That made a good contribution to promoting local economic growth and improving people's livelihood. Longyuan Power,a Chinese company,has built the De Aar Wind Farm Project in the Northern Cape, which has so far provided clean electricity supply to around 300,000 households,”said the Chinese Ambassador.