Load shedding:World Cup lights vs. Matric exam darkness

As South Africa grapples with the return of load shedding, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of the energy crisis has sparked a broader conversation about national infrastructure priorities.

Malema’s direct inquiry into why lights remained on during the Rugby World Cup, only to fade when matrics started their final matric exams, reveals resource allocation inequalities.

ALSO READ:Dark clouds of loadshedding cast shadows on Matric exams

Loadshedding stops for the Boks but not Matric exams?

IOL News reports that Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa, attributing the recent power cuts to him.

He questioned the continuity of electricity during the Rugby World Cup and the immediate return of blackouts when Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Paris.

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Malema claims it’s “madness” and hints at a deliberate scheme to weaken the nation’s energy security. Former President Thabo Mbeki echoes this, indicating a systematic attempt to undermine crucial institutions such as Eskom.

Mbeki said back in August that he believed there was a systematic attempt to collapse Eskom, leading to rampant and “deliberate” load shedding in the country.

MALEMA: LOADSHEDDING IS MAN MADE. When there is World Cup, there is no loadshedding. When Children Write Matric Exams, there is loadshedding.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH MADNESS IN LIFE? #CIConMetroFM

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 30, 2023

“Have you ever seen such madness where we switch on (the lights) to watch rugby, but we switch off (the lights) when our children write exams?” he said.

Reasons why it was suspended for nine days

Eskom reported on Sunday that they enjoyed nine days of strong electricity generation with no blackouts. However, they declared Stage 2 load shedding for Monday and Stage 3 for Tuesday.

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South Africans were pleasantly surprised by the longest load shedding break in 2023. According to reports, Eskom managed this by:

1. Two units at Kusile Power Station are recovering faster than expected, providing 1,600 MW.

2. Increased use of open-cycle gas turbines, especially those burning diesel, due to higher demand

3. Wind energy and renewable sources contributed to the power supply.

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In recent weeks, Eskom’s energy availability factor (EAF) greatly increased, hitting 60.46% by week 42 of 2023. Chris Yelland, an energy analyst, noted that the situation was worse than the previous year’s start according to KFM.