The load-shedding that is being implemented in the country currently is being felt not only by the community but mostly by business people in Soshanguve.
Soshanguve Pulse took to the streets to talk to business people that are facing challenges as a result of load-shedding.
Mr Tinashe Dube from Soshanguve extension 7, said the challenges that they face as carpenters are immense as their work relies on electricity.
“It there is no electricity there is no work that can be done in our industry and this result in loss of income. We are really affected badly by this load shedding because everything we do depends on electricity and customers get upset when their work is delayed,” said Mr Dube.
Mr. Themba Khumalo from Soshanguve extension 4 said they are also affected as sphathlo entrepreneurs.
“The ingredients we store in refrigerators spoil easily and when that happens we lose stock. The manner in which Eskom manages the load shedding s a problem to us because we lose money and we have.
“Our customers are not aware that we have gas stoves as back up and do not come through when there is load shedding. We would like to let our customers know that we have back up and they should come to buy even when there is load shedding,” said Mr Khumalo.
Mr Michael Msimango who owns a saloon from extension 4 said they operate mostly during the day and when there is no electricity saloons do not operate.
“The load shedding is not doing justice to us, we hope that this era will pass so we can be back in business,” said Mr Msimango.
In a statement, Eskom announced that it till will terminate Stage 1 rotational load-shedding at 21:00 tonight until 09:00 tomorrow morning. However, there is a high probability that Stage 1 rotational load-shedding will be implemented after 09:00 tomorrow. Eskom will provide with an update tomorrow morning.
Eskom said while the system remains vulnerable, several units have successfully returned today as planned and good progress has been made in replenishing emergency reserves.
Unplanned outages or breakdowns were at 1 0 521 MW as at 16:30 this afternoon.
Even though there is some improvement, Eskom requested customers to continue using electricity sparingly and to reduce demand during this period. Eskom also reminded South Africans that there is a possibility of increased load-shedding over the next 18 months as critical maintenance conducted to restore the ageing plant to good health.
To assist in reducing the stage of load-shedding, customers are requested to use electricity sparingly:
• Set air conditioners’ average temperature at 23ºC
• Switch off geysers over peak periods
• Use the cold water tap rather than using the geyser every time
• Set swimming pool pump cycle to run twice a day, three hours at a time
• At the end of the day, turn off computers, copiers, printers and fax machines at the switch.
Community members are requested to revisit their load-shedding schedules on the Eskom
(https://loadshedding.eskom.co. or local municipal websites, depending on the electricity supplier, to review amendments.
