19 hours ago
‘We pay more for less' — 600+ readers on rising electricity and rates
Many households are barely coping. More than 100 respondents said they're slashing spending on food, healthcare and transport just to keep the power on. The tone is one of quiet resilience but rising desperation.
'My daughters are helping us by combining together to buy us electricity. The R200 levy is killing us. We purchase R400 and only receive 74 units,' says reader Sello Mashigo.
'Our electricity bill spiked by R3,000 in the last month and we had load shedding. We're on solar, so it can't be from heavy use. It came right after a new post-paid meter was installed. We used to be flush with cash, now we're just keeping our heads above water. I worry about our financial future,' says reader Alison Coulter.
Solar has become a survival tool – 48 respondents said they've gone solar but costs haven't dropped much.
'I took a considered decision to install both solar water heating and solar PV. It's early to say, but it looks as if I can achieve payback in about a decade.'
Households are turning to gas geysers, stoves, inverters and air fryers – and cutting back wherever they can. Geysers are switched off, use is limited. It's a clear sign that Eskom's prices have become unaffordable.
Municipal billing: Paying more for less
A dominant theme is the sense of being charged more while receiving less. Readers spoke of unexplained hikes, a lack of billing transparency and unresolved disputes.
Municipalities most frequently mentioned were Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town – often described as unresponsive or extractive.
'Every month the bill rises even though we are careful with energy and water use. We dread its monthly arrival and can foresee a time, quite soon, where paying it will become impossible.'
'Our municipality calls for public input on rates increases, but when we submit feedback, it's ignored. Smaller homes pay the same sanitation rates as large ones. It's insulting, especially for pensioners.'
'Asset rich, cash poor. We've lived in our home for 42 years and are being forced out by up to 40% increases in municipal rates and services.'
'I run an Airbnb to cover costs, but with electricity and water throttling, it's a false comfort. My meter runs on air. CoJ won't fix it. I'm thinking of selling, even at a 30% to 40% loss.'
'My municipal bill has increased by 300% in the 10 years I've lived in the semi-rural Eastern Cape. Services have deteriorated in that time. I'm selling my house.'
'We are pensioners. My husband is 80 and still works. We will probably have to sell our house in the next two years. We are extremely anxious about the future.'
'We pay more for less and if you dispute the bill, you're ignored until disconnection.'
