Frustrated residents of Nkuri-Tomu village outside Giyani in Limpopo gathered under a tree this week to demand answers from Eskom over ongoing power outages, which they say have severely disrupted daily life.
Community members claim that load reduction—a measure to prevent grid overloading—has been imposed without warning or explanation, leaving them in the dark for extended periods. Learners, parents, and local workers say the outages have made it difficult to study, cook, and even access water.
Education and Safety at Risk
Residents highlighted the impact on students, who rely on electricity to study at night and prepare for school in the mornings. “Our kids are suffering when it comes to education,” said one community member.
Others raised safety concerns, noting that prolonged darkness has led to increased criminal activity. “When it’s dark, criminals can easily do their activities,” a resident said. “Even in the bushes, you can’t see snakes or anything.”
Failed Engagements with Eskom
Local leaders say they have been trying to engage Eskom since February but have faced slow responses. “They were taking us from pillar to post,” a community representative said. After persistent efforts, a meeting was finally held, leading to this week’s public gathering where villagers demanded clarity.
Eskom’s Response: Overloading and Electricity Theft
Eskom officials stated that load reduction in rural areas is a last resort to protect infrastructure from overloading, often caused by non-compliant customers and electricity theft. “We implement load reduction to safeguard our equipment, like transformers, and ensure community safety,” an Eskom representative explained.
While the utility continues with meter box upgrades to curb losses, residents remain desperate for a lasting solution. For now, Nkuri-Tomu’s villagers say they are left without power, patience, or proper explanations.
Eskom has urged communities to report illegal connections and reduce excessive electricity use to help stabilize supply.
