ESKOM breaks 2024 load-shedding record, but a GOOD one!

Okay, credit where credit is due, Eskom has set a new 2024 load-shedding record, and this time it’s a good one. Listen, we at The South African are the first to hold Eskom accountable for terrible service delivery. Hell, we’ll be the first to tell you when the load-shedding schedule has worsened (or improved).

But we’re not the type of people to only revel in the SOE’s misfortune. Come on, when your back is against the wall and you somehow pull yourself together, that takes monumental effort and courage. And we want to show appreciation for that …

2024 LOAD-SHEDDING RECORD

Image: Shutterstock

Today (Wednesday 17 April 2024) represents 21 days without load-shedding in Mzansi. As we reported last week, the previous longest run without load-shedding was 19 days. So, yesterday was in fact the ‘first’ new record (20 days). The previous best run was between Friday 15 December 2023 (the Rugby World Cup public holiday) and Tweede Nuwe Jaar on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Now, the 2024 load-shedding record for Eskom began on Thursday 28 March (just before the Easter long weekend) and hasn’t stopped, despite appalling weather countrywide and a host of outside challenges to our power supply. The question certainly on this author’s lips is how long can Eskom keep this streak going?

MORE GENERATION CAPACITY

Image of Eskom’s Medupi Power Station during its construction. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Skeptics are saying the 2024 load-shedding record is all an ANC smokescreen ahead of the 2024 General Election. To that we say the ruling party must continue to smoke away. Keeping the power on – no matter the reason – is desperately needed. The positivity is almost unquantifiable compared to 2023’s literal dark days in which South Africa endured 332 days of load-shedding.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa credit’s maintenance and improved management for the 2024 load-shedding record. Crucial to this performance has been the return of Medupi earlier than anticipated. Initially it was only set to come back online only in 2025. And Eskom says this has added a further 25 000 MW of capacity to the grid.

HOW LONG WILL THE STREAK LAST?

How long can Mzansi celebrate no load-shedding? 21 days and counting … Image: File

“The kind of improvement we are witnessing is not an accident, it’s an investment made by competent men and women. However, if there is all of a sudden load-shedding tomorrow, it doesn’t mean the trend has dissipated,” concluded Ramokgopa.

We’ll be counting the days Eskom can keep this streak going …

NEXT READ: Upcoming SASSA grant payments for May 2024 (and beyond)

What do you think of Eskom’s 2024 load-shedding record? How long do you think the state entity can keep it up? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES FROM RAY LEATHERN