South Africa’s New Energy Divide: Townships Face Daily Load Reduction

Johannesburg, South Africa – While urban neighborhoods celebrate reduced load shedding, millions of South Africans in townships continue to endure daily load reduction—planned power outages implemented by municipalities struggling to meet demand. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa described the situation as a harsh reality that “visits energy poverty upon the poor.”

READ: NERSA Error Forces Steeper Electricity Price Hikes for South Africans in 2026 and 2027

Root Causes of Township Energy Inequality

Several factors contribute to the growing energy divide:

• Aging Grid Infrastructure: Municipal reticulation systems have not kept pace with rapid growth in informal settlements.
• Skills Shortage: According to SAICE 2024, 68% of municipalities lack qualified electrical engineers.
• Affordability Crisis: Electricity tariffs have surged 600% in the past decade, making consistent supply unaffordable for many households.

Human Impact: Townships Struggle

In Soweto’s Dlamini section, residents endure up to 8 hours of daily power cuts. Local activist Thandi Mokoena said:

“We pay for prepaid electricity but get less power than suburbs with free-flowing supply.”

The disparity highlights the disproportionate impact of load reduction on historically marginalized communities.

READ: Municipalities in Crisis: The R126 Fixed Charge Debate and South Africa's Electricity Dilemma

Government Response

The government has launched a “200-settlement plan” to upgrade infrastructure in under-served areas. Minister Ramokgopa emphasized, however, that solving R98bn in municipal debt will require tariff reforms and provincial intervention, signaling that a long-term solution involves both investment and systemic policy changes.