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IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Johannesburg's water woes and the quest for dignity
Despite Johannesburg being one of South Africa's wealthiest metropolitan municipalities, with a budget of R80.3 billion in the previous financial year, the water crisis persists, says the writer. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers South Africa's economic engine, Johannesburg - water, the most basic necessity, is becoming a luxury where many residents across the city have woken up to dry taps, empty buckets, and a growing sense of despair. The water crisis gripping the City of Johannesburg is not just an infrastructure failure—it is a humanitarian emergency threatening the dignity, health, and livelihood of millions. The crisis did not begin overnight. Years of underinvestment in infrastructure, rapid urbanisation, climate change, and governance failures have culminated in a perfect storm. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Reservoirs are running dry, pipes are bursting from neglect, and power failures at pumping stations have crippled already fragile water supply systems. In areas such as Brixton, Hursthill, and parts of Soweto and the south, residents have faced water outages stretching over several days or even weeks, forcing them to queue for water from roaming tankers or rely on unsafe alternative sources. Joburg Water has called on residents to use water sparingly as it is experiencing severe pressure at the reservoirs and towers due to increased water consumption. Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso / Independent Newspapers For many, the turning point came in early 2024, when Rand Water—the bulk supplier for Gauteng—warned that demand had begun to consistently outstrip supply. With reservoirs unable to recover due to excessive consumption and frequent load shedding hampering pump stations, the system buckled under pressure. The city was forced to impose rolling water outages in an attempt to manage dwindling resources. Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero, has stepped up to confront the growing crisis head-on. In recent statements, Morero acknowledged that the city's infrastructure is operating beyond capacity and must undergo an urgent overhaul. He has outlined a multi-phase recovery plan, including the replacement of aging water mains, better pressure management systems, and the use of smart meters to reduce water losses. The city is also ramping up public education campaigns to encourage residents to reduce consumption, emphasising that the crisis is a shared burden. In 2023, Rand Water had pledged to invest R28 billion over the next decade to upgrade its infrastructure and build new reservoirs to increase supply. The water utility emphasised the need for a shift in consumption behaviour, pointing out that Gauteng residents consume, on average, 300 liters of water per person per day—nearly double the global average. Rand Water is working closely with municipalities to implement technical upgrades and manage water distribution more equitably. Furthermore, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also weighed in, calling the situation 'deeply concerning' and promising national support. During a visit to the city council earlier this year, Ramaphosa affirmed that water security is now a priority for the national government. Ramaphosa announced that he would introduce the presidential task team to help the city tackle its problems, especially now that the G20 summit will be held in Johannesburg. 'We are proposing the establishment of the presidential Johannesburg working group. What this means is that the situation here in Johannesburg has led you to invite the president into your council chamber. I am now here. 'We are going to work together to rebuild Johannesburg and take it back to its glory days,' Ramaphosa said. Last week, The 38-kilometre tunnel, Ash River which runs from Lesotho to South Africa via the Free State, was officially opened by the Department of Water led by Minister Pemmy Majodina and Sanitation, Free State Government and other state holders. This was the Lesotho Highlands Water Project which was created to provide water in the country to curb the water shortage. WARNING: Video contains swearing at the end Speaking to IOL, ActionSA said it was gravely concerned about the current man-made water crisis that has plagued the city. The party has been vocal about the water crisis in the city since they joined the council. 'The R27 billion infrastructure backlog has been on our radar for a very long time. The water crisis is, however, as a result of years of neglect,' chairperson of EISD, Vhengani Munyayi said. Munyayi stated that the issue was not just poor coordination among key stakeholders, but a mere lack of oversight and lack of appetite to address this issue. 'From the explanation we get from Rand Water, it is evident that they supply enough water to Joburg Water, however, aging dams that lose water, pipes that lose water coupled with illegal water connection is a challenge,' he said.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Reclaiming the right to a just and sovereign transition
Africa, where over 789 million people still lack access to electricity, is being urged to leapfrog that path entirely, bypassing the very resources that built the prosperity of industrialised nations. Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/Independent Newspapers In the rolling hills of the UK's Midlands, dormant coal-fired power stations once stood as relics of a bygone era, idled by a nation that had seemingly secured energy stability. When I visited in 2019 for business, I witnessed this reality firsthand. Locals noted that the UK, at the time, enjoyed a surplus energy supply, partly due to nuclear imports from France. That moment, surrounded by silenced smokestacks and the quiet hum of stable infrastructure, symbolised a country that had completed its coal-to-gas-to-renewables evolution. The UK's energy life cycle, spanning centuries of coal-fuelled industrialization to today's diversified mix, reflects a journey enabled by wealth, infrastructure and time. In stark contrast, Africa, where over 789 million people still lack access to electricity, is being urged to leapfrog that path entirely, bypassing the very resources that built the prosperity of industrialised nations. This leapfrogging model is being imposed on Africa, despite its unique energy landscape and development needs and reflects a broader global trend of framing African energy challenges through a Western lens. Why should Africa, rich in both fossil fuel reserves and renewable potential, be denied its development trajectory? Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ This question underpins a growing call for a sovereign, human-centric energy transition—one that balances climate objectives with urgent needs for energy access, job creation and economic growth. Africa's energy future is not just a matter of mitigating climate change; it is intrinsically tied to the region's ability to uplift millions out of poverty and unlock its potential for industrialisation. The UK's transition reveals how historical privilege shaped its options. Coal accounted for over 90% of British energy production by 1900. Decades later, the discovery of North Sea gas enabled a shift to cleaner fossil fuels and government-backed mechanisms, like the Contracts for Difference scheme, subsidised wind and solar expansion. The final coal units were phased out by 2024, helped along by emissions reduction treaties and large-scale public investment. Yet this model is ill-suited to Africa. The UK's high GDP per capita and centralised energy infrastructure contrast sharply with Africa's rural, fragmented energy needs and economic limitations. In much of Sub-Saharan Africa, capital-intensive solutions like large-scale battery storage are impractical, while decentralised solar mini-grids offer more viable, scalable options. Climate frameworks that discourage gas exploration may unintentionally restrict Africa's potential, even as demand is projected to triple by 2050. Africa's energy deficit is a stark reminder of the continent's underdevelopment in energy infrastructure. With nearly 789 million people lacking access to electricity, the disparity between the energy needs of the global South and the global North is glaring. Several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa still rely heavily on traditional biomass, which contributes to deforestation, air pollution and negative health outcomes. Yet despite being home to 60% of the world's remaining arable land, Africa's renewable energy resources have not been harnessed to their full potential. While there are impressive strides in renewable energy across the continent, these solutions remain fragmented. Africa has tremendous solar and wind potential and its vast biomass resources offer a promising avenue for bioenergy development. Still, large-scale investments in renewable infrastructure have been slow and policy frameworks continue to favor more expensive, centralized energy models that do not work for Africa's diverse energy needs. The call for a sovereign energy transition comes from the need to empower African nations to create energy systems that reflect their priorities—systems that incorporate both fossil fuel resources and renewables, tailored to national contexts. Around the world, no country has followed a single blueprint. China, the world's largest solar producer, still relies on coal for half its energy mix to fuel growth. Brazil's ethanol-based transport system powers nearly half its vehicles but remains vulnerable to global oil price shocks. These models reflect the same truth: transitions must be context-specific and built around national priorities. India's energy journey underscores this sentiment. As the world's largest democracy with over 1.3 billion people, India has pursued a balanced approach, incorporating both renewable energy and fossil fuels into its energy mix. In 2020, India became the world's third-largest producer of solar power, yet coal still accounts for 70% of its electricity production. India's experience demonstrates that for countries with large populations and diverse economies, an immediate transition to a renewable-only energy system is not only impractical but potentially harmful to economic growth. South Africa, the continent's most industrialised economy and largest carbon emitter, embodies the complexity of managing a just energy transition. Coal still generates over 90% of the country's electricity, yet ageing infrastructure has caused chronic load shedding. With 35,000 MW scheduled for decommissioning by 2050, the challenge is not only environmental—it is social, political and economic. Programs like the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) have introduced modest renewable capacity. Meanwhile, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) has attracted significant international finance. But structural obstacles—such as job losses in coal-dependent provinces and 47% of households facing energy poverty—continue to hinder momentum. A hybrid energy model could offer a realistic path forward. South Africa can phase out coal gradually by 2040, leveraging natural gas from neighbouring Mozambique as a bridge and expanding its network of decentralised solar and bioenergy systems. Bioenergy alone, powered by the continent's vast arable land, could generate significant capacity while creating sustainable employment. International institutions estimate that scaling renewable infrastructure with annual climate finance of $25 billion could increase Africa's GDP by nearly 1% per year over the next decade. Community-led transition frameworks—focusing on local ownership and affordability—would further strengthen resilience and inclusive growth. Africa's energy future cannot be shaped by one-size-fits-all prescriptions. A phased, diversified approach— combining coal retirement, gas development and scalable renewables—can offer both sustainability and sovereignty. Tools like the African Continental Power System Masterplan can drive regional integration, enabling countries like Ethiopia and Kenya to share hydropower and reduce reliance on isolated systems. This level of integration could also foster innovation and economies of scale in energy production, distribution and infrastructure development. As Africa's energy markets mature, regional cooperation will be key to ensuring that energy investments reach the most underserved regions. Cross-border energy projects, such as the East African Power Pool, have already demonstrated the benefits of regional cooperation, with countries pooling resources to construct energy infrastructure and share the electricity generated. Equitable climate finance remains a critical enabler for Africa's energy ambitions. Wealthier nations must honour their commitments, closing the energy access gap without imposing rigid, renewable-only models. While African nations are undoubtedly committed to sustainable development, they cannot be expected to transition without adequate financial support and technical assistance. Africa's energy future is not just about emissions—it is about dignity, opportunity and self-determination. Ending energy poverty, unlocking 14 million clean energy jobs by 2030 and transforming lives through access to healthcare, education and entrepreneurship all require policies that evolve with urgency and precision. As Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, aptly put it, 'We cannot ignore the critical role energy plays in advancing Africa's development. A just transition for Africa must be led by Africa itself, with global support for its sovereignty and future.' Indeed, no nation can transition in isolation. Africa's journey requires not only bold national leadership but meaningful global collaboration. A just transition—built on local realities, regional cooperation and global equity—will define Africa not as a follower of external mandates, but as a bold architect of its destiny. Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She holds a Diploma in Business Management (Accounting) from Brunel University, UK, and is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa. Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She holds a Diploma in Business Management (Accounting) from Brunel University, UK, and is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa. Image: Supplied BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
New energy rules to boost grid efficiency - but load shedding likely to persist
The Department of Electricity and Energy has introduced new rules for third-party power transmission, promising a more cost-effective energy transport system Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/Independent Newspapers The Department of Electricity and Energy's new rules for third-party transmission on current energy networks may not eliminate load shedding altogether but will result in more power being cost-efficiently transported through the grid. This is the view of an energy expert following the announcement of new rules by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa earlier this week. Ramokgopa said the move, also known as the electricity wheeling framework, as being the 'most consequential intervention' in South Africa's electricity sector. Independent energy expert, Chris Yelland, told IOL that allowing third parties to transport power will 'certainly aid the reduction in load shedding by encouraging better use, more efficient use and bigger use of existing network infrastructure'. Yelland added: 'It's something that we should welcome and encourage. But I want to stress, it's not a silver bullet for eliminating load shedding altogether.' The updated Regulatory Rules on Network Charges for Third-Party Transportation of Energy make it possible for more power generation to be added to the grid at relatively low cost, said Yelland. 'In that regard, it reduces the pressure on Eskom's generation, which is a pressure that they can't adequately meet at the moment.' Yelland added that the new rules formed part of the liberalisation of the energy network, which has also resulted in a National Transmission Company of South Africa being created as an entity separate to Eskom. 'It's good to have a diverse generation sector. It's good to have a competitive generation sector. It helps keep prices down,' Yelland said. Adding energy to the current grid would not cost any government entity additional money as existing infrastructure will be used – both municipal and Eskom's networks. 'So, it doesn't involve any public money. There may be a need to upgrade network infrastructure, but that is a common need that exists all the time,' Yelland said. Yelland explained that the new regime will also enable Eskom and municipalities to benefit from additional income. 'And it's a trend that you see, for example, with access to rail networks by companies that will have their own locomotives and carriages and do transportation using the public network infrastructure. It's a win-win situation for everybody.' The third-party access system is also seen in the telecoms sector, with mobile network operators allowing other parties to use their infrastructure, which earns them income,' Yelland explained. IOL
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
New energy rules to boost grid efficiency - but load shedding likely to persist
The Department of Electricity and Energy has introduced new rules for third-party power transmission, promising a more cost-effective energy transport system Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/Independent Newspapers The Department of Electricity and Energy's new rules for third-party transmission on current energy networks may not eliminate load shedding altogether but will result in more power being cost-efficiently transported through the grid. This is the view of an energy expert following the announcement of new rules by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa earlier this week. Ramokgopa said the move, also known as the electricity wheeling framework, as being the 'most consequential intervention' in South Africa's electricity sector. Independent energy expert, Chris Yelland, told IOL that allowing third parties to transport power will 'certainly aid the reduction in load shedding by encouraging better use, more efficient use and bigger use of existing network infrastructure'. Yelland added: 'It's something that we should welcome and encourage. But I want to stress, it's not a silver bullet for eliminating load shedding altogether.' The updated Regulatory Rules on Network Charges for Third-Party Transportation of Energy make it possible for more power generation to be added to the grid at relatively low cost, said Yelland. 'In that regard, it reduces the pressure on Eskom's generation, which is a pressure that they can't adequately meet at the moment.' Yelland added that the new rules formed part of the liberalisation of the energy network, which has also resulted in a National Transmission Company of South Africa being created as an entity separate to Eskom. 'It's good to have a diverse generation sector. It's good to have a competitive generation sector. It helps keep prices down,' Yelland said.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Government provides R381 million wage subsidy to South African Post Office amid financial crisis
The South African Post Office (SAPO) has received a R381 million wage subsidy Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso/Independent Newspapers The South African Post Office (SAPO) is set to receive a R381 million wage subsidy from the government, aimed at covering employee salaries for the next six months as part of the ongoing business rescue process. The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko, described the approval of six months of income support for the Post Office as "a much-needed lifeline that the state is both morally and duty-bound to extend." According to reports, this latest round of income support brings the total amount of government bailouts for SAPO to approximately R9.8 billion since 2014. The funds will come from the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), which was established to minimise job losses for companies facing distress by providing up to 75% of employees' salaries, capped at R241,110, for a period of 12 months. The scheme is administered by the Department of Labour and Employment through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, Diko said the amount marked an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to rescue and resuscitate the Post Office. "The R381,297,863.83 wage subsidy for nearly 6,000 SAPO employees over a six-month period signals an important milestone in the ongoing work to rescue, resuscitate and ultimately futureproof the Post Office. "The subsidy is expected to reduce SAPO's cost burden and forms part of the building blocks towards the completion of the business rescue process,' Diko said.
