On 18 and 19 November 2024, community members and civil society organisations from across The Cape Flats and broader City of Cape Town will have their voices and concerns heard at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) public hearings on Eskom‘s Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD 6) Revenue Application for Financial years 2026 – 2028 (respectively). The hearings in Cape will be held at the Cresta Grande Hotel.
 
With the proposed 36% electricity tariff increase on the table, South Africans face costs that are not only unrealistic, but also further exacerbate already disproportionate socio-economic injustices. Whilst some may not see it as an issue, for the majority who are under-resourced and historically disadvantaged, this increase threatens to further entrench these communities into poverty.
 
Community activist Lydia Petersen says: “I think it’s a total insanity that South Africans are being asked for an increase like that. And that all means that marginalized communities will be burdened financially and it will affect their home life, the households, it will affect their well being. It is totally unfair that South Africans pay for the inefficiency of Eskom.”
 
In recent weeks civil society groups, Project 90 by 2030, The Green Connection, Laudato Si’ Movement South Africa, Alternative Information & Development Centre, Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, and groundWork sent an open letter to The Minister of Electricity and Energy requesting that Minister Ramokgopa review the electricity pricing policy.
 
The letter highlighted challenges from the shortfalls with the country’s Free Basic Electricity Subsidy Policy, to the issues with the cost reflective pricing system that ignores the harm to the environment and to people’s health, all while suggesting areas and amendments for improvement.
 
“With energy poverty plaguing the nation, leaving many in the dark, we must look beyond simply the cost as we do each time these hearings come around and instead begin to question the system” says youth spokesperson from Project 90 by 2030, Gabriel Klaasen. “Our constitution makes provisions that electricity should be treated as a need. It’s because of this that we need universal access to electricity.” continued Klaasen.
 
A few community members who intend to have their voices heard at these public hearings had the following to say regarding the proposed tariffs:
 
“For many of us, electricity is a need, not a luxury. We need Nersa to consider the real lived impact on our communities before approving Eskom’s request” – Tholekela Skosana, Khayelitsha.
 
“We are going to the hearings to tell Nersa that these hikes don’t just affect numbers on paper, they disrupt lives, jobs and the stability of entire communities.” – Junaid Anders, Mitchells Plain.
 
“I am Elizabeth Daniels from Mitchell’s Plain, a community ravaged by unemployment, gangsterism and poverty. An increase will deliver a death blow to many living in despair and hopelessness.”
 
“As community members, we are stepping up to hold Eskom accountable. We deserve a just and affordable energy future, not another round of unaffordable increases.” – Rochelle Philander, Mitchells Plain.
 
“I appeal to Nersa to recognise the hardships of the aged. Many live from hand to mouth and are barely surviving.” – Ann October, Mitchells Plain.
 
“We demand transparency! Our communities can no longer carry the burden of mismanagement and rising costs. Period.” – Josephine Fortune, Mitchells Plain
 
It is clear that the costs of these proposed tariffs are not affordable for the majority of South Africans. We need NERSA to listen to the pleas from the most affected, and further consider only approving a tariff that is in line with the least cost option and an option that is in line with South Africa’s Just Energy Transition trajectory.
 
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For more information contact:
Gabriel Klaasen
WhatsApp or Call: (+27) 079 306 8871
 
More details:
Cape Town, Western Cape Public Hearings
Date: 18 and 19 November 2024
Venue: Cresta Grande Hotel, Cape Town
 
About Project 90 by 2030:
Project 90 by 2030 is a social and environmental justice organisation inspiring and mobilising South African society towards a sustainably developed and equitable low-carbon future.