Top Posts
Death toll from Mokwa flood rises to 153
Scientists say nearly 40% of the world’s glaciers...
Nigerian government seeks alignment of NDC climate action...
German court dismisses climate case against RWE
WHO Climate Change action plan approved
Report: World likely to breach 1.5°C limit in...
At Bonn climate talks, Brazil demands early deals...
Researchers warn Africa could face 113 million climate...
LAPO MfB launches tree-planting initiative to fight climate...
Stiell says new NDCs are about growth, antidote...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
Africa

South ’Africa’s ANC calls for ‘state of disaster’ over energy crisis

by Matthew Atungwu February 2, 2023
written by Matthew Atungwu February 2, 2023
593

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, (ANC) has asked top officials to declare a national state of disaster in order to end the severe electricity blackouts that have wreaked havoc on Africa’s most industrialised nation, its secretary general said on Tuesday.

Declaring a national disaster would free up additional funds and resources to “better manage the crisis,” Fikile Mbalula said at a news conference following the party’s new executive committee’s weekend meeting.

The years-long crisis of intermittent power outages has worsened in recent months, with Eskom’s electricity network failing to keep up with demand as it struggles to maintain its ageing coal-powered infrastructure.

Read also: AEC says it signed deals worth $2.5bn to develop Africa’s energy

“We shouldn’t be arrogant and deny the fact that we have… a crisis,” Mbalula told the news conference,”. “We are responding to this crisis, and the president and the team in government have been given clear instruction by the ANC,”.

He said that the move would speed up the response of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration, with a target of ending the blackouts by year-end.

The scheduled blackouts, which can last from two hours to over 12 hours a day, have sparked widespread anger and taken a heavy toll on industrial production and businesses. South Africa’s economic growth is expected to slow to just 0.3 per cent this year because of the power shortages, after growth of 2.5 per cent last year.

Opposition parties have vowed to stage more protests against the government’s response to the blackouts after the most recent mass demonstrations last week drew several thousands of people into the streets.

This story was adapted from Punch.

ANCEnergy crisisSouth Africa
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
AEC says it signed deals worth $2.5bn to develop Africa’s energy
next post
Firms distribut eco-friendly stoves to households in Malawi

Related Posts

Researchers warn Africa could face 113 million climate...

May 23, 2025

Stiell says new NDCs are about growth, antidote...

May 21, 2025

AFDB, others move to address climate change

May 17, 2025

Report shows 2024 as hottest in Africa, warns...

May 12, 2025

Research shows two-thirds of global warming since 1990...

May 12, 2025

Survey shows Africans less likely to blame rich...

May 12, 2025

Magnitude 4.1 earthquake hits Marrakech

May 6, 2025

Eastern Caribbean youth call for co-leadership in climate...

April 16, 2025

Climate talks end with unified demand for climate...

April 16, 2025

Experts incorporate Artificial Intelligence in fight against Climate...

March 31, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World