Minister of Electricity Kgosiento Ramakgopa courted controversy for accepting 450 gasoline generators from China.
Images via X: @kgosientsho_r
‘You can buy them at Makro’: SA embarrassed by China’s generator gifts
Joke of the year? Saffas are embarrassed by the Minister of Electricity accepting generator gifts from China amid a load shedding crisis.
Minister of Electricity Kgosiento Ramakgopa courted controversy for accepting 450 gasoline generators from China.
Images via X: @kgosientsho_r
South Africans are hanging their heads in shame and sheer embarrassment after the Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramakgopa revealed China’s “energy equipment” donation to South Africa – a consignment of generators. This, amid a load shedding crisis in the country.
But according to many, the country’s gifts – intended to keep many service facilities in power during blackouts – was nothing to brag about.
ALSO READ: Eskom’s ‘Black Friday’ special: Stage 6 load shedding all weekend!
MINISTER OF ENERGY RECEIVES GAS GENERATORS
On Thursday, 30 November, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramakgopa accepted the first consignment of 450 generators on behalf of the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong.
According to IOL, the donation forms part of the Technical Assistance Programme orchestrated by China’s President Xi Jinping during a recent state visit to South Africa.
ALSO READ: ‘Which December?’: Fikile Mbalula reminded of load shedding promise
The minister – a qualified engineer – revealed that the generators would be distributed to public service facilities across the country.
He tweeted from his official account: “The generators will be used as a backup to alleviate the impacts of load shedding in the delivery of services in clinics, schools, and courts while government continues to implement the EAP to ultimately end load shedding and create sustainable energy security.”
According to Ramakgopa, a second consignment will be delivered in a few months.
SOUTH AFRICANS ARE STUNNED
On social media, the minister’s brazen announcement was met with shock and even horror by South Africans.
Many were embarrassed that the government had the audacity and downright foolishness to trade coal for diesel-powered generators.
ALSO READ: Taste of home? ‘Load shedding’ hits France after Boks’ RWC win [watch]
Others mocked China’s “energy equipment,” which many believed could’ve been bought at a local hardware store.
@the_gregdavies: “You can buy those at Makro.”
@timlouw1: “What are those gonna run? Computers, laptops, lights?”
@spy_shop_sa: “To power schools and clinics? These small things can’t power a few household appliances!”
@Brettbenraphael: “This generator cannot even power up a vibrator, never mind a clinic, police station, court house or school. And we now have 450 of them. My guess.. they’ll be given to family first.”
