Lack of Electricity a Major Concern in South Africa 

“We will try to continue to get feedback from Eskom,” Lindhorst said.

Another resident from Bishop Lavis, who did not want to be named, said their cries for help have been drowned out as the majority of residents are too poor to afford to purchase airtime and log calls, nor do they have the luxury of generators or inverters, and most do not have access to cellphones or access to the internet.

“Our food is now rotten after three days of being in the dark; sick people cannot take medicine; the elderly cannot warm their food to eat; and children cannot bathe or study for school.

“This year alone, I have about eight reference numbers relating to Eskom power outages,” she said. The woman said this is not the first time residents have been left in the dark.

“This is not a one-time scenario; previously, we were without electricity for another four days, and some residents were without electricity for a whopping 22 consecutive days. In September, we experienced deliberate double-load shedding slots for eight to 12 hours at a time. We are tired of this inhumane treatment, and something needs to be done,” she said.

IOL reached out to the power utility Eskom, who stated it expects a full restoration of electricity supply in Elsies River, Uitsig, Bishop Lavis, and Cravenby areas by 9pm on Wednesday, November 22.