Effects of power cuts in Boksburg

Local business owners said they've lost a lot of many due to power cuts.

November 24, 2021

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Fundi Dlomo who works at a food business in Boksburg North said power cuts are really affecting their business.

In the wake of recent power cuts, local businesses have expressed their frustrations, highlighting the negative impact the situation has on their businesses.

Lesley-Ray Coetzer, who is the owner of Leading Lady SA, a salon based in Rietfontein, said the situation has affected her company’s operations substantially.

“We have lost many of our clients who’ve resorted to going to other salons where there’s electricity following our cancellation with them due to power cuts. To make up for the time lost during the day when there is no electricity, we end up working till late.”

Lesley-Ray Coetzer said they have lost a lot of money due to power cuts.

Coetzer said sometimes they would move clients and equipment from the salon to her house if there’s electricity in the area so that clients go home happy.

According to Coetzer, due to prolonged power outages, in a day they lose about R10 000 to R15 000.

“What is frustrating is that sometimes we don’t even know when it will go off,” said Coetzer.

Another business owner, Clinton Stevens, who runs a Kota business (The Kota Café) in Dawn Park, said following the recent theft of their business gas, they now close their doors when there’s load-shedding.

“This has severely affected our revenue because daily we lose about R600 to R700 when there’s no electricity in our area. For the past three weeks, we lost R4 000 and I couldn’t even pay rent.”

XFactor Signs situated along Rietfontein have echoed the same sentiments that they are suffering the brunt of electricity outages.

According to the manager, they use printing machines which needs electricity so if there is no power they can’t work.

Meanwhile, a store manager of a food business (IG Takeaway) situated in Boksburg North said they lost a lot of money after their business meat got rotten due to prolonged power cuts.

Nothani Dlomo said: “When there’s no electricity in our area, our clients can’t even buy cold cooldrinks because the fridges aren’t working, which affects our pockets.”

Dlomo said although they have an alternative (gas) when there’s no electricity, it is quite expensive.

The Advertiser also asked residents how power cuts affected them?