Thousands of South Africans continue to face severe energy poverty, with many forced to choose between buying food or paying for electricity. This harsh reality was highlighted in a recent report from Plastic View Cemetery informal settlement in Pretoria, where residents rely on dangerous and costly alternatives like paraffin, wood, and coal for their daily energy needs.
A reporter visited the settlement, where densely packed shacks and flammable materials have led to frequent shack fires. Many households, lacking access to electricity, depend on combustion fuels, exposing families—particularly women and children—to health risks and financial strain.
A Daily Struggle for Survival
One resident explained the dire situation: “Paraffin is very expensive. Here, we pay R25 for just a liter. Even gas is unaffordable. It’s a difficult life.” Another resident pleaded with local authorities, saying, “We don’t see service delivery. We don’t see help. The city must remember that people are suffering here.”
The reliance on open flames and hazardous fuels has also led to safety concerns, with past fires devastating the community. Residents expressed frustration over the lack of government intervention, despite repeated appeals for assistance.
A Nationwide Crisis
The report underscores a broader crisis in South Africa, where energy poverty persists despite government promises of expanded electrification. With rising living costs, many informal settlement dwellers are left with no choice but to use unsafe energy sources, further endangering their health and safety.
As the country grapples with ongoing electricity shortages and economic challenges, communities like Plastic View remain trapped in a cycle of hardship, waiting for meaningful intervention.
