Trystan Casey
South Africa has been experiencing an energy crisis for many years, with the country's demand for electricity exceeding its ability to supply it. This has resulted in load shedding and power outages across the country, including in Soweto, where residents have been dealing with repeated electricity outages. Protests have flared up across Soweto as a result of these outages, with residents complaining about the length and frequency of the blackouts. While there is no clear answer as to when electricity will be restored in Soweto, the issue is being addressed by Eskom, the electricity public utility provider, and the South African government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for electricity outage | Infrastructure damage, cable theft, illegal electricity connections, network overloading, and load reduction to prevent infrastructure failure |
| Affected areas | Meadowlands, Emdeni, Naledi, Zola, Pimville Zone 6, Dobsonville Ext 3, Protea Glen Extension 29, and more |
| Duration of outages | Varying durations, some lasting until the next morning or longer |
| Protests | Yes, protests have flared up across Soweto due to repeated electricity outages |
| Solutions | Flat rate for electricity suggested by the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee, transition to renewable energy sources |
| Customer complaints | Inaccurate and inconsistent billing, poor customer relations, lack of notification before disconnections |
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What You'll Learn
Protests sparked by electricity outages
Soweto residents have staged protests over ongoing power cuts caused by load reduction, cable theft, and infrastructure issues. Residents complain of lengthy electricity cuts, sometimes lasting days at a time, with some areas lacking stable electricity since September 2024. The power issues have been disruptive to students, exams, and public transport.
In June 2025, residents of Meadowlands, Soweto, protested for three consecutive days over power outages. They blocked roads with rocks and burning tyres. The area already experienced daily "load reduction" with scheduled power cuts, but for the past three weeks, outages had been lasting for days. Residents reported a lack of communication from Eskom, the electricity public utility provider, and no explanation for the outages.
In April 2022, residents of Kliptown and Pimville in Soweto protested, demanding that City Power restore their electricity immediately after being without power for 13 days following a substation fire. They blocked roads with burning tyres, rubble, and stones.
The electricity crisis in Soweto is also due to aggressive cutoffs by Eskom for non-payment of bills, with 89% of households in arrears, and some households accumulating long-term debt. This has resulted in tens of thousands of low-income households without electricity, impacting public health and safety, and poverty alleviation.
Additionally, interviewees cited problems with inaccurate billing, poor customer relations, and a lack of notification before disconnections as reasons for their dissatisfaction with Eskom's service. The promise of "free electricity" by the ANC has also not been fulfilled, with the offered 50 kW/hr per month being less than 10% of average household usage.
To address the affordability crisis, representatives from the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee have proposed a flat rate of R50 per month, which has gained political support in Soweto.
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Infrastructure damage and cable theft
Cable theft is a global issue that has impacted South Africa and Soweto particularly hard. The theft of copper cables and other forms of metal from public infrastructure has led to power outages and economic losses in the country. The value of copper, which is often used in cables due to its high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, has increased globally, leading to a rise in cable theft. Thieves typically strip the cables of their insulation and sell the copper to scrap dealers, who then sell it to smelters or exporters. This form of theft has disrupted critical infrastructure and caused significant economic losses in South Africa, with the government estimating annual losses between $280 million and $370 million.
In Soweto, cable theft and infrastructure damage have been identified as the primary causes of power failures and lengthy electricity cuts. Residents have complained about the random and lengthy electricity cuts, which have disrupted their daily lives and led to protests. The power issues in Soweto are also attributed to network overloading and illegal electricity connections.
To combat cable theft, the South African government has implemented stringent measures, including establishing a committee to reduce copper theft. Additionally, Transnet, Eskom, and the South African Police Service are working to address the issue, but it remains a significant challenge.
The electricity crisis in Soweto is further exacerbated by billing issues, with residents reporting inaccurate, inconsistent, and confusing billing practices. There is also a push for a flat rate for electricity in Soweto, as the current volumetric pricing structure is unaffordable for many low-income households. Up to 89% of households in Soweto have some level of electricity debt, and many have had their electricity cut off or their electricity cables removed permanently for non-payment.
The combination of infrastructure damage, cable theft, billing issues, and affordability challenges has created a complex electricity crisis in Soweto, leading to protests and widespread dissatisfaction among residents.
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Load reduction and power blackouts
South Africa's energy crisis, also known as load shedding, has resulted in widespread power outages since late 2007. This crisis has hit Soweto particularly hard, with residents experiencing lengthy electricity cuts caused by infrastructure damage, cable theft, illegal connections, and network overloading.
Load reduction, which differs from load shedding in that it is implemented in specific areas to prevent power outages due to illegal connections and overloading, has been a common occurrence in Soweto. While load reduction is intended to manage network capacity and prevent infrastructure failure, residents have complained of power blackouts lasting so long that they often go to bed without electricity. This has led to protests across Soweto, with residents expressing frustration over the disruptions to their daily lives, such as children studying for exams in the dark.
The electricity provider Eskom has faced heavy criticism for the frequent outages. Interviewees cited issues such as inaccurate billing, poor customer relations, and a lack of notification before disconnections. Additionally, there have been allegations of corruption and mismanagement within Eskom, particularly during the Jacob Zuma administration. However, Eskom has defended its load reduction practices, stating that they are necessary to keep its infrastructure operational and prevent total grid collapse.
The South African government and Eskom officials have proposed constructing additional power stations and generators to address the energy crisis. In the meantime, representatives from the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee have advocated for a flat rate of R50 per month for electricity, which has gained political support in Soweto as a potential interim solution to the affordability crisis.
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Inaccurate and inconsistent billing
In 2025, residents of Soweto took to the streets in protest of the repeated electricity outages they had been experiencing. These outages were caused by infrastructure damage, cable theft, illegal electricity connections, and network overloading. While these protests were ongoing, it was revealed that most Soweto residents were unable to pay their electricity bills, with 89% of households having some level of electricity debt, and up to more than R30,000 in arrears.
To dispute an inaccurate electricity bill in South Africa, residents must write a formal letter to the manager of their municipality, describing the discrepancy in as much detail as possible and providing evidence such as previous bills to support their claim. The municipality is then required to investigate the matter and provide a report with the correct account information. It is important to note that the municipality cannot legally disconnect electricity while the investigation into the disputed amount is ongoing.
The issue of inaccurate and inconsistent billing in Soweto has contributed to the township's electricity debt crisis, with nine out of ten households in arrears and six out of ten experiencing power supply cuts in the past year. As of August 2001, Soweto's debt had spiralled to R1-billion. This has led to aggressive cut-offs by Eskom, the public electricity utility, with up to 20,000 households per month going without electricity, some for as long as nine months. As a result, many low-income households have had to resort to self-imposed reductions in electricity usage, further exacerbating the issue of inaccurate billing.
To address the affordability crisis, there has been a growing demand in Soweto for a return to a flat-rate pricing model for electricity, at least on a short-term basis. Representatives from the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee have proposed a fixed rate of R50 per month. While this proposal goes against the government's push for volumetric pricing and cost recovery, it has gained strong political support in Soweto and could offer a temporary solution to the billing issues and electricity supply challenges faced by the township.
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The shift from coal to renewable energy
As of 29 June 2025, residents of Soweto have been experiencing electricity outages and protesting against repeated power cuts. These outages have been attributed to various factors, including infrastructure damage, cable theft, illegal electricity connections, and network overloading. While there is no specific information available on when electricity will be fully restored in Soweto, the issue of power cuts is being addressed.
Shifting from coal to renewable energy sources is crucial in addressing the challenges of power supply and environmental sustainability. Here are some key points regarding this transition:
- Economic Benefits: Transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, offers significant economic advantages. Research suggests that the benefits of reduced carbon emissions and avoided physical damage to infrastructure from climate change far outweigh the costs of investing in renewable energy infrastructure. This transition is estimated to result in a net gain of nearly $78 trillion by the end of the century.
- Environmental Imperative: Fossil fuels, including coal, are the largest contributors to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. To mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, emissions must be reduced by nearly half by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. Renewable energy sources emit little to no greenhouse gases and are often cheaper than coal, making them a crucial part of the solution.
- Energy Security: Renewable energy sources are available in all countries, unlike fossil fuels, where 80% of the global population is dependent on imports. This dependence makes these countries vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and crises. By harnessing renewable energy sources, countries can improve their energy security and reduce their reliance on fossil fuel imports.
- Global Efforts: The transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum globally. Countries like Greece, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the US are leading the way in phasing out coal power. The G7 group of countries has launched Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with developing nations to support their shift from coal to renewable energy sources. However, more financing and technical assistance are needed to accelerate this transition.
- Social and Health Benefits: In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, transitioning from coal to renewable energy has significant social and health advantages. Renewable energy sources improve access to electricity for low-income households, enhance public health and safety, and contribute to poverty alleviation. By addressing energy poverty, communities can reduce the negative impacts of power outages, such as spoiled food, increased workloads for women, and increased domestic violence.
- Planning for a Just Transition: A rapid transition to renewable energy will impact workers and communities dependent on the coal industry. Governments, development banks, and companies must plan ahead to support these stakeholders. This includes reskilling coal workers for new careers in the energy or other industries, providing unemployment or relocation compensation, and offering financial support to regions that have lost coal-related revenue.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no fixed date for the return of electricity in Soweto. Protests have broken out across the region due to repeated power outages. The issues are caused by infrastructure damage, cable theft, illegal electricity connections, and network overloading.
The electricity outages in Soweto are primarily due to cable faults and network overloading. Cable theft, illegal connections, and infrastructure failure have also been blamed.
Eskom is working with the community to address the power issues. However, illegal connections and network overloading continue to cause problems.
There is a growing demand in Soweto for a flat rate for electricity pricing. While this goes against the government's push for volumetric pricing, it may be an interim solution to the affordability crisis. South Africa is also transitioning to renewable energy sources, but this process is slow and challenging.
