A total of 417 people on Sunday benefited from the government's electrification programme at Mushiyane village in Giyani, Limpopo, President Jacob Zuma said.

"Upon completion of this project, over 1000 families will no longer be expected to travel long distances.

"No longer fetch wood in order to cook, or compel their children to study under a candle light," Zuma said at a switch-on ceremony, according to a copy of his speech sent to Sapa.

Being born in a rural area should not condemn people to a life of poverty and underdevelopment.

"People living in rural areas also have a right to basic necessities and amenities such as electricity, water, flush toilets and roads."

The president cautioned those who connected electricity illegally — commonly called izinyoka (snakes) — not to steal electricity as it deprived local government and Eskom of money needed to build more infrastructure.

"In fact, these criminals are denying the government of the resources it needs to realise its objective of achieving universal access to all proclaimed areas by 2014."

Zuma acknowledged that there were many households near Mushiyane still without electricity, but assured residents the government had not forgotten about them.

Over the coming months it would be "upscaling" social and economic infrastructure.

"We will also work to extend quality government services, especially health and education, to our rural areas," he concluded.

Sapa

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