Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
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The tourism industry is crucial for South Africa but it is being hamstrung by problems with its power, water, transport and waste infrastructure. (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
BLACKOUT

Eskom dismisses concerns of iminent grid collapse

Struggling utility is prepared for the worst, saying the cost to bring South Africa back online cannot be quantified

  • Mandisa Makgakga
5 min read
Letters to the editor: March 29 to April 4
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SUPPLY

Eskom fears revenue dip as appetite for solar PV grows

Exorbitant electricity tariffs and longer stages of load-shedding have forced consumers to urgently seek off-grid alternatives

  • Mandisa Makgakga
5 min read
Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa. (Theana Breugem/Foto24/Gallo Images)
BLACKOUT

Higher load-shedding stages don’t mean grid collapse — Ramokgopa

Control measures are in place, minister reassured the public

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
After more than 10 months of uninterrupted electricity supply for most of the country, Eskom has issued an alert indicating a high risk of load-shedding this weekend. (Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
ABSA

Fearing three-week blackout, banks ramp up contingency plans

Steps have been taken to control money flow in the event of a temporary grid collapse

  • Mandisa Makgakga
6 min read
In the week that Eskom reached the “milestone” of 30 days without load-shedding, the power utility anticipates that power cuts will be maintained within stage two at most during winter. File photo by Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images
ANC

Editorial: Stage eight and the nation bickers on

In all the bickering that we’ve been through over the past five years, from the long-running saga about the competence of former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to this…

  • Editorial
2 min read
A general view shows trails of lights from passing vehicles in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, which is submerged in darkness due to load-shedding
ANDRE DE RUYTER

South Africa edges closer towards stage eight load-shedding

Eskom loses half of its power-generating capacity, opening risks for longer cuts which will entail more than half the day with no electricity

  • Mandisa Makgakga
  • Ozayr Patel
5 min read
The future of our healthcare system is in our hands; we approach it with responsibility, collaboration and a deep commitment to the well-being of all people. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
BLACKOUT

A tenth of public hospitals across South Africa exempted from load-shedding

Several public health facilities have exhausted their 12-month supply of diesel and oil as nationwide load-shedding persists

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Pravin Gordhan. (Halden Krog/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
2021 JULY RIOTS

Editorial: A political solution from Ramaphosa or Gordhan will not solve the Eskom load-shedding crisis

After more than 10 years of meddling and the countless executive game of musical chairs, please leave political actors out of Eskom problem-solving. This is a problem to be…

  • Editorial
3 min read