Eskom Suspends Loadshedding Amid Public Skepticism
- Eskom declared the suspension of loadshedding it initiated on January 31, 2025, but not everyone is convinced.
- Following a series of unexpected power station breakdowns, Eskom enforced loadshedding, leaving many South Africans frustrated.
- Business owners in Soweto shared their struggles with Briefly News, detailing how loadshedding has impacted their livelihoods.
Tebogo Mokwena, a seasoned current affairs journalist for Briefly News, brings over seven years of experience from Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News. His expertise spans food, energy, loadshedding, fuel prices, and environmental affairs.
JOHANNESBURG — Eskom has announced the suspension of the loadshedding it initiated on January 31, 2025. However, many South Africans are raising eyebrows, claiming their areas are still in the dark despite the official statement. This skepticism reflects the growing mistrust toward Eskom as the nation struggles with prolonged power outages.
Loadshedding on Pause, But Doubts Persist
Eskom took to its official X account (@Eskom_SA) to announce that emergency reserves have been sufficiently replenished, allowing them to suspend loadshedding starting at 6 a.m. on February 2. The utility assured the public that it would keep them updated should any significant changes occur.
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The decision comes after Eskom enforced loadshedding over the weekend due to unexpected power station breakdowns. These issues forced the state-owned enterprise to implement Stage 3 loadshedding across the country, plunging millions into darkness. While Eskom claims the situation has stabilized, many citizens remain unconvinced.
Read Eskom’s full announcement on X here:
Why South Africans Are Fuming About Loadshedding’s Return
When Eskom reintroduced loadshedding, it reignited the anger of South Africans who had already endured nearly 10 months of power cuts. The announcement was met with widespread criticism, with opposition parties like the MK Party and the Democratic Alliance condemning the move as yet another blow to the nation’s struggling economy.
For many, loadshedding is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis that disrupts daily life, education, healthcare, and businesses. As the country grapples with these challenges, the frustration continues to mount, leaving many questioning when—or if—this cycle will ever end.
Briefly News Sheds Light on Local Businesses
To get a clearer picture of the impact, Briefly News spoke to local entrepreneurs who have been hit hard by the recent round of loadshedding. Monde Mkhize, a barber from Meadowlands in Soweto, shared his frustrations about the weekend's power cuts. Typically, he sees a surge in customers at the end of the month, but this time, things were different.
“We experienced two rounds of loadshedding on Saturday, which severely impacted my business. No one came in for haircuts, and the weekend month-end rush is critical to my bottom line,” Mkhize explained.
Similarly, Kota business owner Madumetja Chuene from Pimville expressed his disappointment. Unlike some who rely on gas stoves, Chuene’s business depends entirely on electricity. When loadshedding hit, he was forced to shut down operations for the weekend.
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“I had just restocked my inventory when loadshedding was announced and immediately enforced. There was no foot traffic at all. It was so slow that I think I sold only two kotas on Saturday,” Chuene lamented.
Public Reactions: Trust Issues Abound
The announcement of the loadshedding suspension has sparked mixed reactions online. While some South Africans celebrated what they see as a small victory, others remain deeply skeptical. Here’s a sampling of what people are saying:
“Is this the power of prayer or just a miracle? Either way, I’m celebrating with all my devices plugged in because, with Eskom, anything is possible,” said one user, In a Nutshell.
“You holding us hostage is treasonous and must be addressed. We can’t allow a parastatal to strong-arm NERSA into approving ridiculous price hikes,” Masithandaze added.
“Why does it take so much longer to restore power now compared to before?” questioned Mbuso Mhlongo.
“Tembisa hasn’t had electricity since 4 a.m., and there’s no scheduled loadshedding for that time,” Lenny reported.
“I don’t trust you skelms,” Dimpis bluntly stated.
NERSA Approves Controversial Tariff Hikes
In other news, Briefly News reported that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved a 12.7% tariff increase for 2025. Initially, Eskom had requested a staggering 36% hike, sparking outrage among consumers. NERSA also greenlit additional increases of 11% and 6% for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The news has left many South Africans fuming, as they struggle to understand why they must pay more for a service that continues to fail them. Critics argue that Eskom’s mismanagement and lack of accountability are at the root of the problem, and they demand answers before footing the bill for yet another round of exorbitant price hikes.
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