ANC Secretary-General Urges an End to Load-Shedding for ...

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has spoken out against the use of load-shedding as a tool to win votes in an election. During a recent interview on 702, Mbalula warned that load-shedding should not be resolved solely for political gain but for the stability of the economy. The country is currently experiencing stage 1 and 3 load-shedding, with Eskom implementing rolling blackouts during the day this week.

In the interview, Mbalula expressed optimism about the future of South Africa's electricity supply, stating that load-shedding will soon become a thing of the past. According to a report by Timeslive.co.za, Mbalula emphasized the need to prioritize resolving the issue for the sake of the economy, rather than using it as a campaign tool. He acknowledged that load-shedding will negatively impact the ANC’s message ahead of the upcoming national elections next year.

Mbalula went on to say, “Load-shedding will eat into the ANC’s positive message about what we have done amid the challenges we have faced. Load-shedding must not be resolved for elections, it must be resolved for our economy. It is a total disaster for our economy and our livelihoods.” He cautioned against political parties aligning load-shedding with elections, noting that it would deceive the public.

The ANC Secretary-General also addressed concerns that the party was exploiting the cholera outbreak for political gain. In response, Mbalula denied these claims and emphasized the ANC’s commitment to addressing the power crisis. Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Times, he stated that he expected the ANC to poll 30% given the current power challenges.

Mbalula acknowledged the frustrations faced by citizens due to load-shedding and shared his personal experience. “The mood is not right, people are not happy about load-shedding. It is an inconvenience, I feel it myself. I’ve got simple things I like, like watching football and sitting with friends. In the middle of nowhere, everything comes to a standstill,” he said.

While many agreed with Mbalula’s sentiments, others criticized his remarks on social media. Some accused him of downplaying the impact of load-shedding by comparing it to watching football. Mmusi Maimane, the leader of the Build One SA movement, said, “To get the real experience of South Africans, these ministers should forfeit their blue lights, generators, medical aid, and send their children to quintile one public schools. It’s clear they don’t get it.”

Mbalula’s stance on load-shedding highlights the ANC’s stance on prioritizing economic stability over political gain. As South Africa battles with ongoing power challenges, the need for a long-term solution becomes increasingly urgent for the sake of the economy and the livelihoods of its citizens.

Credit: timeslive.co.za

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ANC Secretary General Fikile MbalulaANC Secretary-GeneralBuild One SAFikile MbalulaMdu MananaMmusi MaimaneSouth AfricaSouth Africa’sSouth AfricansSunday Times