As residents of Makhasa Village, we have had enough of living with inconsistent and unreliable electricity. The fragility of our infrastructure is undeniable, with power outages occurring with alarming frequency and under the most minor of circumstances. It is not just during severe storms, but even when a bird lands on the power lines or with the lightest gusts of wind that our community is plunged into darkness. This is an unacceptable situation that demands immediate action from Eskom to ensure our safety, comfort, and ability to function effectively day-to-day.

This issue affects nearly every aspect of our lives. Our children struggle to do their homework in dim lights or using candles; local businesses suffer losses as a result of power failures; and electronic devices, which are crucial for communication, regularly get damaged due to unexpected surges and failures. We are not just facing inconvenience; we are facing a significant impediment to our community’s growth and prosperity.

In Makhasa Village, we are calling upon Eskom to conduct a thorough assessment of our electricity infrastructure, identify the faults, and implement lasting solutions. This would include replacing outdated power lines and upgrading the equipment to withstand environmental factors such as bird interference and wind, which should not be causing disruptions.

Statistics and reports from the area highlight the urgency with which this issue needs to be addressed. For instance, in a recent survey, 80% of the village reported weekly outages. This not only disrupts daily life but also poses serious safety hazards, such as the increased risk of fire from candles and harm during sudden outages when machinery is in use.

Our petition seeks to emphasize the critical nature of this issue and prompts Eskom to prioritize Makhasa Village in their infrastructure improvement plan. Effective and reliable electricity is not a luxury but a basic need, and we believe it is our right to demand the same standards enjoyed by other communities.

We request your support in signing this petition to ensure that Eskom hears our plea and takes swift action to repair and upgrade our electricity infrastructure. Together, we can help bring reliable power to Makhasa Village and improve the quality of life for all residents. Please sign and share this petition to amplify our cause.