South Africans struggling to keep the lights on
Cost of living increases impact every facet of daily life, including electricity consumption
While load-shedding remains suspended until further notice, many South Africans are struggling to keep the lights on.
This is owing to the Nersa-approved Eskom tariff increases of between 12.72% and 12.74% that were implemented on 1 April.
It has been three months and cash-strapped consumers are paying more for less.
Zululanders shared their experiences when asked how much they were spending on electricity in a month, and did it sustain them for the entire month.
“It was always R2 000 per month, [but] since the previous increase [I] have to buy R500 to reach new month – usually three to four days before month-end,” said Fanie Grobler.
“It’s killing us. [In] summer months with air cons running – not as a luxury but a necessity – we [are] using bread money. R3 000 in winter can go up to R5 000 or more in summer, [and we also] have a gas stove,” said Heidi Rodrigues.
“I was [spending] R3 500 to R4 000 before I installed a solar system. In May, I spent R800 and there was still 112kwh left by month-end,” said Ngcebo Mkhwanazi.
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