Amidst the campaign trail for the upcoming local government elections on November 4, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the efforts of the African National Congress (ANC) in addressing the country’s persistent electricity issues. He highlighted that South Africa has now experienced over 460 days without national power cuts, attributing this success to enhancements in electricity generation and improved management at the state-owned utility, Eskom.
During the ANC’s manifesto launch, President Ramaphosa emphasized that the country’s power infrastructure has seen a remarkable recovery. Eskom has confirmed that since May 16, 2025, the nation has been free from load shedding, a result of better performance from power stations and a reduction in unplanned outages. These improvements mark a significant milestone for a nation that has long struggled with energy supply challenges.
Despite these gains, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that some localities still grapple with load reduction measures. These measures are implemented to protect electricity grids that are at risk of overloading. The President pointed out that ongoing efforts in regions like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are focused on mitigating these issues, with the ultimate goal of eradicating load reduction across the country.
The progress in South Africa’s energy sector represents a crucial development in the nation’s infrastructure capabilities. While the broader picture shows a positive trend, the targeted efforts to address localized issues remain a priority. Ramaphosa’s confidence in overcoming these challenges reflects a commitment to ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for all South Africans.