18 hour power outages hit Maphisa businesses

Mbekezeli Ncube

Businesses in Maphisa are reeling under the devastating impact of prolonged load shedding, with some losing customers and others forced to close early.

The area’s power outages, just like in most of the parts in the country is lasting up to 18 hours daily, and has brought economic activity to a grinding halt.

For Zululokulethwa Lubimbi, a tailor the power outages have been catastrophic.”These days there’s less production and there are no more walk in customers. We now knock off early because of lack of electricity. I’m losing customers everyday because I’m failing to meet their demands on time,” she said.

The power crisis has crippled various sectors, including gold mining, agriculture, and healthcare. For those who can afford there is no other option but to use alternative power suppliers like generators and solar panels.

Local entrepreneurs are calling on the government to address the electricity crisis urgently.

“We understand the national grid’s challenges, but alternative solutions must be explored. We need sustainable energy sources to revive our economy. I survive by selling refreshments like water, PEPSI Coca-Cola and other liquors and customers want to consume these thing cold, especially with this very hot weather” said an informal trader who declined to be named.

Narrating to Community Podium, a lady who preferred to be called NaMaDawu, is considering to stop selling fish.

“I sell fresh fish, and everybody knows that without electricity, it becomes so difficult to venture into fish business. I have a fridge at home but I’m now buying ice at larger supermarkets in order to maintain that cold temperature, which is an expense. With this rate of power shortages, I will end up looking for something else to sell,” she said.

Mbongeni Ability Sibindi who fixes phones for a living said, “It’s now very difficult to fix things such as charging sytems and this makes it very difficult for me to do my work. This is now affecting me because I need to pay rent and also feed my family. For now a solar panel is very expensive for me and I’m struggling,” said Sibindi.

The prolonged load shedding has also raised concerns about food security, as agricultural production declines, with a call for government to look into sustainable renewable power sources as a solution.