By Marcus Moloko
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has pledged to fully resolve load-reduction issues affecting parts of South Africa by the end of October 2026.
Speaking before President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, Ramokgopa reaffirmed government’s goal to ensure equitable access to electricity across all communities.
He explained that the phased approach to eliminating load reduction was already underway.
“We said last year we’ll end it in October. It will take us 12 to 18 months. I’m confident, in fact, by end of this year we will have resolved all the load reduction in Western Cape. The Northern Cape and the North West will be done by March, and the rest of the country by the end of October,” he stated.
He highlighted progress in areas such as Limpopo and the North West, where interventions had already begun.
“When I say by end of October, I mean completely in those areas,” Ramokgopa said.
He stressed that the goal was fairness and inclusivity in electricity provision.
“The story must be that of equity around access to electricity, and it must be truly universal,” he said.
Ramokgopa acknowledged that while load reduction is being addressed, the broader challenge of electricity pricing remained a pressing issue.
Recognizing affordability as the “elephant in the room,” Ramokgopa confirmed that a revised electricity pricing policy will be released for public comment at the end of March or beginning of April 2026.
“Hopefully by June or July we will have closed that and then arrest the situation,” he explained.
ALSO READ: SIU clarifies Maumela supercar ruling in Tembisa Hospital probe
“This policy aims to balance sustainability with affordability, ensuring that households and businesses can benefit from reliable and fairly priced electricity. At this rate, we are confident [by] end of the year, October we should be there. By then, there will be no load reduction in the country,” he said.
INSIDE POLITICS