Categories: News

Cape Town’s Prepaid Electricity Meter Software Update: Ensuring Uninterrupted Power Supply

Cape Town’s City Council is updating prepaid electricity meters to guarantee uninterrupted power supply for all customers by the 2024 deadline. The process is simple, with residents receiving two 20-digit update codes alongside their standard prepaid token and following three straightforward steps to complete the update. City teams are available to assist and support residents, ensuring a seamless transition. The initiative will guarantee continuous power supply for all residents within the region, with easy-to-follow instructions and the assistance of City teams.

A Strategic Plan for Updating Electricity Meters

In response to the approaching deadline for prepaid metering software updates in South Africa, Cape Town’s City Council has initiated a phased approach to guarantee uninterrupted power supply for all customers in the region. By December 2024, all prepaid electricity meters throughout the country must be updated. The City has planned a series of updates for Grassy Park, Ottery, Pelican Park, and Philippi, to be completed by 31 October 2023. To date, approximately 87% of the city’s prepaid meters have been successfully updated, covering 65 distinct metropolitan areas.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

A Simple Process for Residents to Update Meters

Although the City encourages residents to update their meters independently, they also offer support for those who require assistance. To update their meters, residents will receive two 20-digit update codes alongside their standard prepaid token. Customers can complete the update by following three straightforward steps:

  1. Input the first 20-digit update code and wait for its acceptance.
  2. Input the second 20-digit update code and wait for its acceptance.
  3. Input the standard 20-digit token to recharge units as usual.

City Teams Assist and Support the Community

To facilitate a seamless transition and aid customers in updating their meters, City teams are readily available to provide support. These teams can be easily identified by their identification and work order numbers. If unsure, residents can contact the City’s call center for verification.

Addressing Common Concerns: A Guide for Residents

As Cape Town residents undergo the prepaid electricity meter software update process, several key questions have emerged. Some of the most frequently asked questions include:

  • Why is it necessary to update prepaid electricity meters? All prepaid electricity meters in South Africa must be updated by 2024. Otherwise, customers will be unable to recharge their meters with new tokens, resulting in a loss of power supply.

  • Which meters require updates? All 570,000 prepaid electricity meters throughout South Africa need updates.

  • What is the best method for updating meters? While many customers prefer updating their meters independently, City teams are available to assist if needed.

  • Will my old, unused tokens continue to function after the upgrade? No, all old tokens must be entered before completing the update.

  • Will my electricity units vanish or decrease when the meter is updated? No, customers’ electricity units will remain unaffected by the update.

A Comprehensive Approach to Ensure Ongoing Power Supply

Cape Town’s prepaid electricity meter software update initiative is a well-orchestrated strategy designed to guarantee continuous power supply for all residents within the region. By utilizing a phased approach and providing customer support, the City is proactively working to meet the 2024 deadline. With easy-to-follow instructions and the assistance of City teams, residents can confidently update their meters, securing their access to electricity for the foreseeable future.

1. Why is it necessary to update prepaid electricity meters?

All prepaid electricity meters in South Africa must be updated by 2024, otherwise, customers will be unable to recharge their meters with new tokens, resulting in a loss of power supply.

2. Which meters require updates?

All 570,000 prepaid electricity meters throughout South Africa need updates.

3. What is the best method for updating meters?

While many customers prefer updating their meters independently, City teams are available to assist if needed.

4. Will my old, unused tokens continue to function after the upgrade?

No, all old tokens must be entered before completing the update.

5. Will my electricity units vanish or decrease when the meter is updated?

No, customers’ electricity units will remain unaffected by the update.

6. How many metropolitan areas have been covered by the update so far?

Approximately 87% of the city’s prepaid meters have been successfully updated, covering 65 distinct metropolitan areas.

7. How will the City teams assist and support residents in updating their meters?

City teams are readily available to provide support and can be easily identified by their identification and work order numbers. If unsure, residents can contact the City’s call center for verification.

8. What is the deadline for completing the meter updates in Cape Town?

The City has planned a series of updates for Grassy Park, Ottery, Pelican Park, and Philippi, to be completed by 31 October 2023, in response to the approaching deadline for prepaid metering software updates in South Africa.

Sarah Kendricks

Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.

Recent Posts

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil.…

3 hours ago

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these…

6 hours ago

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They're…

8 hours ago

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This…

9 hours ago

Cape Town’s Rupee-Powered Metamorphosis: How a City Rewrote Itself for the Indian Traveller

Cape Town worked hard to charm Indian travelers. They made it easier to fly there,…

15 hours ago

From Bottle to Breakthrough: How Three Cape Town Schools Turned Trash into a Movement

Three Cape Town schools started a cool recycling project called "From Bottle to Breakthrough." They…

17 hours ago