SOUTH AFRICA

Eskom, the
state-owned electricity utility
n South Africa is proving to
a major asset for its government. While the Nelson
Vandela administration is
izruggling to keep its electorat promise of "providing a
better life for all" in other
ifeas, the power sector
aic,rsears to have exceeded
ectations. In an announcement made in early April,
John Maree, chairperson of
Eskom, declared that the
organisation has surpassed
its target and electrified more
than 250,000 households
during 1994.

It is expanding at an even
faster rate this year. If the
going remains as good, then
reaching their long-term
goal of providing a further
1.5 million new connections
by the end of 1999, will be a
cakewalk for the efficient
Eskom personnel. As for the
impoverished millions of
South Africa, who till now
used firewood for cooking
and candles for home lighting, Eskorn has truly illuminated their lives.