President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has praised the role of the African National Congress (ANC) in resolving the country’s long-standing issue of electricity load-shedding. He highlighted that the nation has enjoyed over 460 days without widespread power outages, attributing this success to enhanced electricity production and better management at the state-owned utility, Eskom.
Speaking at the launch of the ANC’s manifesto ahead of the local government elections scheduled for November 4, Ramaphosa emphasized the improvements made in Eskom’s operations. According to him, these advancements have been pivotal in maintaining a stable electricity supply. Eskom, the main electricity supplier, confirmed that the country has not experienced load-shedding since May 16, 2025. They credited this achievement to better performance at power stations and a reduction in unexpected breakdowns.
Despite the national progress, certain communities are still facing load reduction measures. These measures are implemented to safeguard local electricity networks from becoming overloaded. Ramaphosa acknowledged these ongoing challenges, particularly in regions like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. He reassured the public that efforts are being made to address these issues, expressing optimism that load reduction will eventually be a thing of the past across the entire country.
The president’s remarks come as the ANC seeks to garner support in the upcoming elections, with energy stability being a significant concern for voters. The reduction in power cuts is seen as a critical milestone for the ANC-led government, which has been under pressure to resolve the country’s energy crisis. By focusing on the improvements at Eskom, Ramaphosa aims to highlight the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and reliable service delivery.