The non-violent march was prompted by last Friday’s prolonged power cuts which lasted for 10 hours, in Soweto.
They sung struggle songs, carrying placards which read ‘March for power’, while marching.
ANC regional secretary Dada Morero said, ” It is our responsibility to take the concerns of the people back to the parastatal.
“It is upon them(Eskom) as state operators to respond to the concerns of the people.
“There are already proposals which will be introduced to try and address this issue including working with City Power.
“If they do not apologise within 24 hours, they would have displayed their own arrogance.”
Nonhlanhla ‘Black diamond’ Mthembu said that this will help.
” We want to be treated with dignity and respect by Eskom.”
” The memorandum, which detailed the residents’ concerns would be reviewed as soon as possible,” said Gauteng general manager of Eskom, Bandile Jack.
Jack said, ” The 10-hour cut was due to load shedding and additional technical difficulties.”
Other concerns the unhappy residents listed in the memorandum were centred around the installation of energy-saving devices such as solar geysers in the homes of residents, public institutions and local businesses.
Matshidiso Kgodi, who resides in Orlando said, “The late former President Nelson Mandela’s promise of a better South Africa with free education, free water and sanitation had not been realised.
“Sowetans feel they are entitled to free electricity as it was one of the things promised to us, when the country became a democratic state in 1994.”
Faith Maseko said, “I don’t pay my monthly electricity because it seems like when you pay every month, the more money they demand.
She didn’t, however, want the prepaid electricity meter installed in her yard.
“There are already residents who are complaining of how expensive they are.
“There were also no public meetings or consultation by Eskom officials.
“I heard that Eskom would scrap whatever existing bill that each household has only if the home owner agrees to have a prepaid electricity meter to be installed,” said Maseko.
