Thembisa protest raises risk of national unrest
While you cannot blame angry and financially strapped residents of Thembisa for blocking roads and setting tyres alight to protest a new electricity hike, the fact that the City of Ekurhuleni gave in and suspended the charge sets a dangerous precedent.
The people of Thembisa are not the only ones who are at the end of their tether because of snowballing utility costs – most other communities feel the same way.
And if they start similar violent protests, because they have seen that it works, then this country could quickly become sucked into anarchy.
At the same time, municipal authorities in Johannesburg and other metros are chasing down the suburban residents whom they perceive can afford to pay and threatening to cut them off should they be only slightly late in payments.
Billing systems produce outrageous and arbitrary figures for law-abiding homeowners, who need months to sort out the mess.
ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni mayor to suspend electricity tariff hike after protests in Thembisa
In addition, Eskom and municipalities want to deliver an equally outrageous new tax via a licensing fee for solar installations… even those these are reducing strain on our teetering national grid.
All the while, of course, millions are simply not paying for electricity and the unpaid debt continues to be written off to the extent that Eskom is now owed well over a R100 billion.
Taxpayers – the few that there are – will have to pick up this tab.
Once that silent, middle-class minority starts protesting – possibly even by boycotting rates and taxes – then the country could grind to a very bitter halt.
It's all very well – and correct – to blame the looting, incompetence and cadre deployment of the ANC for the destruction of a functioning power system, but something needs to be done, now.
ALSO READ: South Africa's health advocacy groups: 'Health failing to shield kids from HIV'
Once that fuse of national anger has been lit, you in the government won't be able to unlight it.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
19 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Big move in US Bill's bid to sanction ANC officials
The Bill was introduced by Republican representative Ronny Jackson, who took to social media on Tuesday to celebrate the milestone. US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on 21 May 2025. Picture: AFP A Bill to review the bilateral relationship between the United States (US) and South Africa, and to impose sanctions on government and ANC officials, has made significant progress. The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 (H.R.2633) was introduced in April and this week moved through US Congress' foreign affairs committee with minor amendments. This paves the way for the Bill to be debated and voted upon. It was introduced by Republican representative Ronny Jackson, who took to social media on Tuesday to celebrate the milestone. 'Today, my Bill to fully review America's relationship with South Africa and give President Trump the tools necessary to hold their corrupt government accountable passed through committee. The days of allowing our so-called 'allies' to walk all over us are over!' Afriforum welcomes the move In reaction, head of public relations at AfriForum, Ernst van Zyl, said the ANC's 'years of reckless and extremist diplomatic actions and rhetoric are now bearing bitter fruit'. 'AfriForum maintains that ordinary citizens of the country should not be punished for the extremism and corruption of politicians. 'AfriForum has never advocated for sanctions that target South Africa as a whole. Therefore, the introduction of targeted sanctions against these politicians will be a welcome development,' Van Zyl added. This is a developing story
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Barbara Creecy's passion to serve
She's the 13th occupant of the hot seat in what's probably one of the most complex and burdensome portfolios in government. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy's got a dry sense of humour. Picture Michele Bega /The Citizen Barbara Creecy has served in government since the dawn of democracy in South Africa. That's 30 years plus change, and presently she's Minister of Transport, a portfolio that some may say is a hand dealt that's guaranteed to fold before the flop. She's the 13th occupant of the hot seat in what's probably one of the most complex and burdensome portfolios in government. 'It's hopefully a lucky number for me,' Creecy said. The Minister is armed with a sardonic, dry wit that's as enjoyable as her warmth that nurtures familiarity. She's the kind of person, it seems, that holds a room not by force, but by intellect paired with affability. And there are no airs and graces. What you see is what you get. Creecy said her almost lifelong marriage to politics has been as demanding as it has been fulfilling. 'It's been fun, it's been difficult, I've learned an enormous amount,' she said. 'I have had a very interesting life.' 'I've had a very interesting life' Creecy is an alumnus of Johannesburg's Roedean School and has been a long-standing member of the ANC's National Executive and Working Committees. Her political career dates back to 1979, when she joined the ANC, then banned, while a student at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University). There she graduated with an Honours in political science before completing a Master's in public policy and management at the University of London. Creecy was a founding member of the United Democratic Front in 1983, and operated within the ANC underground, spending time in exile in 1988 in the then Soviet Union. She began her career in the post-1994 government in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 1994, where she was first elected as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng. She spent ten years there, helping to shape what later became South Africa's national oversight framework. 'We developed a concept of parliamentary oversight that was different from the forms that exist elsewhere in the world,' she said. 'It included quarterly performance reviews of departments and entities, not just the budget.' A career of achievement During that period, she chaired both the Social Development and Education Committees. In 2004, she joined Premier Mbhazima Shilowa's provincial Cabinet as MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, a role she held during the lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2009, she moved to the education portfolio, focusing on performance improvements in township schools. 'We worked on turning around underperforming schools in Soweto and other communities,' she said. ALSO READ: Two South Africans, one laptop and a billion-rand travel company. By 2014, she was appointed MEC for Finance in Gauteng. Her team introduced the Gauteng Open Tender System and worked on initiatives to integrate township businesses into both public and private supply chains. 'We did a lot of work supporting Premier Makura on developing township enterprises,' she said. In 2019, Creecy moved to national government, taking up the Environmental, Forestry, and Fisheries portfolio. There, she worked on the Climate Act and international climate financing agreements. In 2024, she was appointed Minister of Transport. Here she oversees 16 entities and eight departmental branches. It includes problem children like Transnet, Prasa, SAA, and other industries that would be a headache to most. Creecy isn't fazed, but noted that a single term to get things done is not a long timeline. 'Five years is short. You must have an overarching vision so that you can move the system in a common direction,' she said. A vision with six targets Her vision is defined by six key targets: moving 250 million tons of freight onto Transnet's rail network, achieving 30 gross crane moves per hour at ports, 600 million Prasa passenger journeys by 2030, 42 million annual passengers through ACSA airports, 1.2 million tonnes of air freight, and halving road fatalities by 2030. Progress includes a 9-million-ton increase in Transnet freight, 48 000 more freight units through ports with cranes recommissioned, and 35 of 40 priority Prasa lines restored, enabling 77 million passenger journeys so far with a target of 116 million this year. Road accidents dropped 9% and fatalities 11%, attributed to coordinated enforcement at hotspots. Creecy said she does not intend to stay in public office beyond the current term. 'I think it will be time for me to retire,' she said. 'But I enjoy this portfolio now. It is intellectually stimulating and fast-paced.' Her daily routine is dominated by work, with time scheduled for exercise and healthy eating. 'I'm very health-conscious. Protein, vegetables, and a little fruit, definitely no carbs,' she said. Spare time is often reading time, particularly policy-related material. 'I've been reading books on rail reform,' she said, citing The Pig That Flew and Switchpoints, which detail the Canadian rail turnaround. 'They're not entirely synonymous with our challenges, but they are useful case studies.' The Minister has two children and is divorced. Her son is actively involved in nature conservation in Mpumalanga. She regrets nothing and is somewhat philosophical about the daily grind. 'I chose this work,' she said. 'Nobody forced me. I believe I can make a difference.' NOW READ: Husband and wife team rely on talent
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Fire more tainted ministers or else. . . DA tells Cyril
President Cyril Ramaphosa gives in to DA pressure to save the budget vote. Image: Supplied/GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa's axing of Nobuhle Nkabane as higher education and training minister paves the way for the DA to throw its weight behind the Appropriation Bill set to be tabled before the National Assembly on Wednesday. The Bill allocates funding to each national department. Ahead of the crucial vote, the DA had threatened to withhold support for Nkabane's departmental budget following allegations of misconduct and misleading Parliament regarding appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. DA's spokesperson, Willie Aucamp confirmed on Tuesday that his party would now vote with the ANC in every department, paving the way for the Appropriation Bill to pass without major challenges. 'Our caucus met this afternoon, and we have decided that we will support the other departmental budgets. So the DA will support the total budget. The axing of minister Nkabane came after relentless pressure from the DA on the president to get rid of the minister.' However, Aucamp said the party would keep applying pressure on the president to get rid of anybody in his government who is implicated in corruption, either by the Zondo Commission or through the VBS Bank looting scheme. The Appropriation Bill requires 201 of 400 votes in the National Assembly. With the DA's support, the Bill is likely to pass without significant hurdles. DA leader John Steenhuisen said Nkabane's removal must be the beginning, not the end. 'There are still individuals in the Executive facing serious allegations. If the President is serious about restoring public trust, he must act decisively and consistently, not only when under pressure. The ANC must also accept that it no longer governs alone. "In a coalition, meaningful consultation with partners is not optional. It is essential to rebuild public confidence and ensure accountable governance. We will continue to engage the GNU parties in good faith to stop corruption and drive delivery in government.' Cape Times
