The demand for action is urgent, as South Africa is the most significant carbon emitter on the African continent. South Africans came together to demand climate justice as part of the Global Day of Action, with around a hundred demonstrators rallying at Muizenberg beach to demand a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to combat the ecological, social, and economic consequences of fossil fuel exploitation. The demonstrations across South Africa were part of a global initiative aligned with the COP28 summit in Dubai, with a focus on assessing progress in the fight against climate change.
South Africa’s energy sector has seen a significant challenge in recent years. Eskom, the country’s leading power utility, has struggled to keep up with the growing electricity demand. The result has been frequent power outages, or load shedding, which have disrupted businesses and homes. The reasons for this crisis are complex, ranging from aging infrastructure to corruption allegations. In this article, we will explore the causes of the electricity crisis in South Africa, its impact on society, and the measures being taken to address the problem.