Wiktor Wise
Prepaid electricity is becoming an increasingly popular payment method in South Africa, with many residents opting to buy their electricity online or via their mobile phones. This method of payment is fast, safe, and easy to use, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consumers can now avoid the frustration of having to leave their homes to buy prepaid electricity from their local council or selected shops.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability | Available 24/7 online, via phone, and in-person at shops and vendors |
| Payment Methods | EFT, deposit, and mobile phone apps |
| Coverage | Over 100 municipalities and sub-metering companies, including Eskom, Tshwane, Cape Town, Centlec, City Power, Mbombela, Ekurhuleni, and eMalahleni |
| Requirements | A bank account to set up a beneficiary profile |
| Additional Features | 24/7 self-help app and website, call center support 7 days a week, and ability to check outstanding charges |
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What You'll Learn
Buying prepaid electricity online
Prepaid electricity is becoming an increasingly popular payment method for utilities in South Africa. There are now several online platforms that allow users to purchase prepaid electricity without leaving their homes.
One such platform is Electricity.co.za, which provides an online and phone application self-help service. After creating a profile, users can make payments anytime and receive updates on whether a municipality is offline. The platform also offers a 24/7 call centre for those who prefer a more personal touch.
Another option is Prepaid24, which is South Africa's leading prepaid electricity provider. Prepaid24 offers a dedicated electricity partner service, providing purchase reminders via WhatsApp. The platform also provides a monthly electricity breakdown report, including a 12-month overview of electricity spend and consumption trends.
Powertime is another popular choice, offering one of the first electricity vending mobile apps in South Africa. The Powertime app is available on iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Windows, Android, and Nokia devices. It supports SMS vending and credit card, EFT, and wallet payments.
To purchase prepaid electricity online, users typically need to select their municipality, enter their meter number, and choose their recharge amount. They can then sign up or log in, confirm their order, and make a payment. After payment, an electricity token will be sent via SMS and email, which can be punched into the customer interface unit (CIU) at home to load the electricity units.
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Using an app to buy electricity
Prepaid electricity is becoming an increasingly popular method for South Africans to pay for their utilities. There are now several apps available that allow users to buy prepaid electricity without having to leave their homes.
One such app is Prepaid24, which is South Africa's leading prepaid electricity provider. The app offers a range of features, including free monthly electricity breakdowns, which outline purchases, spend, and units received. It also provides purchase reminders, which can be set up via WhatsApp, and the option to schedule electricity purchases in advance. Prepaid24 also provides 24/7 customer support and has been praised for its friendly service.
Another option is the Powertime app, which is available on iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Windows, Android, and Nokia devices. With this app, users can buy electricity anytime, anywhere, and also have the option to pay via SMS or credit card.
The SnapScan app is another popular choice for South Africans, offering a safe and convenient way to buy prepaid electricity. The app can be used at various businesses, from market stalls to coffee shops, and even for online purchases.
Some apps, like Electricity.co.za, also allow users to check for any outstanding charges on their prepaid profiles and offer 24/7 customer support through their app, website, and call centre.
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Purchasing electricity via a mobile phone
One such service is Prepaid24, which offers instant tokens, fast replies, and friendly service. Prepaid24 also provides free WhatsApp Purchase Reminders, automatically sending electricity tokens to users each month.
Another option is Powertime, an award-winning app available on iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Windows, Android, and Nokia devices. Powertime supports SMS vending and credit card, EFT, and wallet payments. Users can download the app and open a Powertime account to start buying electricity.
Standard Bank also offers an app that allows users to buy prepaid electricity. Users can enter their cellphone number and meter number to receive an electricity voucher via SMS.
Electricity.co.za provides a 24-hour online service for purchasing prepaid electricity. Users can create a profile, add Electricity.co.za as a beneficiary with their bank, and make payments anytime. The service also offers a self-help app and website, as well as a call centre available 7 days a week.
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Buying from an accredited legal vendor
In South Africa, you can buy prepaid electricity from an accredited legal vendor, such as an Eskom-appointed vendor. You can also purchase prepaid electricity tokens from leading supermarkets and banks.
When buying from an accredited legal vendor, you will need to provide your meter number, which can be found on your card or receipt. The vendor will then sell you a prepaid token, which you can use to load electricity onto your meter. This can be done by punching the token number into your CIU (Customer Interface Unit) at home. The CIU will display how much electricity you have loaded and how much you have left, with the light flashing faster as your usage increases.
Some vendors offer 24/7 online and phone application services, allowing you to buy prepaid electricity through EFT or deposit. These services are often supported by many municipalities and sub-metering companies across South Africa, such as Eskom, Tshwane, Cape Town, and Centlec.
To use these online services, you typically need to create a profile and add the vendor as a beneficiary with your bank. This enables you to make payments anytime and access features like checking for outstanding charges on your prepaid profile. Some vendors also provide a call center with staff available to guide you through the process and provide advice on sales and municipality rates.
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Checking your electricity meter
If your meter shows available units, but you have no electricity, check your distribution board to ensure all circuit breakers are on. If the meter display is off, check with your neighbours to see if they have power. If they do, there may be an issue with your meter, and you should contact your nearest Power Measurement office for assistance.
It is also important to ensure your meter is upgraded to the latest software. The current STS prepaid meter software will expire in November 2024, and any meter not re-coded will not accept prepaid tokens. To check if your meter has been upgraded, enter a specific code on the meter's keypad, and it will display its status.
Upgrading your meter is a straightforward process. You will receive three pins in a single message, with the first two being key change pins and the third being the electricity pin for the purchased units. No payment is required for this upgrade, and Eskom technicians will provide identification upon arrival.
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Frequently asked questions
You can load prepaid electricity in South Africa through an online vendor, via your bank, or by using your mobile phone. You can also buy prepaid tokens from leading supermarkets and banks, or from an Eskom-accredited legal vendor.
Using your mobile phone is the fastest and easiest way to purchase prepaid electricity, according to SnapScan.
Yes, you will need to create a beneficiary with your bank in order to buy prepaid electricity.
Your CIU (Customer Interface Unit) will display how much electricity you have loaded and how much is remaining. The light on the CIU will flash faster as your electricity usage increases.
