Ramaphosa Praises ANC for Ending Load Shedding
President credits ANC-led government for addressing power issues; challenges remain despite improvements.
The Full Story
President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly commended the African National Congress (ANC) for its significant role in addressing South Africa's load shedding crisis. This statement was made during the ANC’s manifesto launch for the local government elections on November 4, held at Riverside in Diepsloot, Gauteng, on August 23, 2026. Ramaphosa highlighted that the country has experienced 460 consecutive days without load shedding, a feat he describes as a monumental achievement for the ANC-led government.
During his address, he asserted, "This is the work of the ANC… Seven of our provinces are now free from load reduction, and efforts are ongoing in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to tackle the remaining issues. While load shedding has largely ceased, we still face load reduction challenges, which our Department of Electricity is actively working to resolve." South Africa has recently endured some of its worst load shedding periods, primarily due to Eskom’s inability to meet electricity demands precipitated by aging power stations, frequent breakdowns, and inadequate generation capacity.
Load shedding refers to the controlled interruption of electricity supply implemented to prevent the national grid from being overwhelmed when there is insufficient generation to meet demand. Notably, according to Eskom, instances of load shedding have not occurred since May 16, 2025, due to improved generation performance and a reduction in unplanned outages. The utility credits its Generation Recovery Plan for this turnaround, which concentrates on enhancing the performance and reliability of its power stations.
Furthermore, Eskom has reported a decreased reliance on diesel-fired generation, resulting in greater energy availability. However, select communities still experience load reduction, which is distinct from load shedding. Load reduction aims to protect local electricity distribution networks from overloading.
Eskom introduced this program in areas where overloaded networks threaten infrastructure and supply reliability. According to Ramaphosa, the day will come when load reduction will also come to an end. He emphasized that this progress showcases the potential of effective leadership and collaborative efforts across various sectors. He remarked, "Load reduction will end; this achievement illustrates what can be accomplished through clear leadership, skilled management, disciplined execution, and cooperation among government, public institutions, business, labor, and society."
Eskom has been incrementally removing areas from load reduction schedules, with ongoing efforts primarily in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The utility aims for nationwide elimination of load reduction measures. Ramaphosa also praised Eskom for its improved performance, stating, "Yes, our Eskom is now delivering electricity properly on an ongoing basis, and our Eskom, remember, is 100% owned by the people of South Africa." In conclusion, while the ANC boasts a significant achievement in resolving load shedding, the challenges associated with ongoing load reduction efforts warrant comprehensive addressing to ensure a stable energy future for the nation.
Why It Matters
This development reinforces the ANC's narrative of progress in energy management, which is crucial for their campaign ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The ability to claim success in a critical area like energy supply can galvanize voter support and bolster the party's position nationally.
What's Next
Eskom plans to intensify efforts to eliminate load reduction, focusing on sustainable improvements to its energy supply infrastructure. The upcoming months will likely see continued monitoring of energy generation performance and initiatives aimed at increasing capacity across the nation.