Load shedding merry-go-round a confusing circus

Despite electricity shortages in South Africa, some shack dwellers are getting connected to electricity, while certain organisations are demanding they be exempted from load shedding (planned power cuts)… writes Godfrey Sigwela.

Shack dwellers also deserve a better life and need light. However, citing Eskom’s daily load shedding cry, how did Eskom manage to manoeuvre and source a new electricity supply for them?

This has raised eyebrows amongst many people living in the dark. Some community members even doubt the existence of load shedding.

One concerned citizen said:

“The whole scenario of electricity supply has become a stressful confusing circus. One cannot be blamed for doubting the existence of load shedding.

“When the Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa was appointed, people were celebrating and dancing.

“The load shedding barometer also dropped. At that point people thought load shedding would be a thing of the past.

“But in a change of events, the load shedding stages have risen up again and are causing more frustration to everyone.”

It appears that South Africans are losing their patience and are exhausted by load shedding schedules.

One organisation which has come forward to demand an exemption from load shedding is the Muslim Judicial Council. They sent an open letter to the Minister of Public Enterprise, Pravin Gordan, asking him to relieve them from load shedding… in order to perform their religious activities.

And the electricity blackouts have caused pandemonium in certain communities.

Another concerned South African citizen said: “Why did the government force us to buy expensive solar roof panels, though we can apply for the load shedding exemption?”

By Godfrey Sigwela