Store owner in Soweto says loadshedding straining her business

A clothing shop owner in Vilakazi Street in Soweto says the implementation of Stage 6 loadshedding is already affecting her business negatively.

This after Eskom announced the implementation of loadshedding due to multiple unit trips at the Camden Power Station.

Agnes Kitavi says the unexpected implementation of Stage 6 is causing her to make a loss in her business.

Kitavi says as Eskom failed to notify customers on time, she couldn’t charge her card payment.

Kitavi has called upon Electricity and Energy Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to at least reduce loadshedding to Stage 3.

“It’s affecting us totally, like today it’s on a Sunday. We never knew that it will take longer like that, we couldn’t iron, we just went to church just like that. I forgot to charge my machine as you can see, swiping machine in the business. So now some people they don’t carry cash here in Vilakazi so they need a machine. So, the money is just leaving me because they don’t have any machine to swipe, it’s really affecting us you know.”

Meanwhile, some residents of Mpumalanga have expressed disappointment and frustration following the announcement of Stage 6 loadshedding. While some says loadshedding has a serious impact on their daily lives, others have lost hope that the electricity crisis could be permanently resolved soon.

“I feel disappointed moreover after the President has alluded to a number of things in terms of not having loadshedding. But the impact of loadshedding is affecting us immensely.”

“Electricity is still a problem. The food is rotting in the fridge, so that’s why I switch off the fridge.”

“I’ve got sleep apnea. I’m 65 years old. It means if there’s loadshedding like Stage 6 right now, where we have three and a half, four hours a night, then I can’t sleep at all because I’m sleeping with the machine.”

“This is Stage 6 from Stage 3. I don’t think South Africa will ever solve this problem of loadshedding.”