No Power for 8 Days: Tshwane Resident’s Long Battle with Outage

Electricity is an essential part of daily life, and its loss can cause major disruptions. A recent incident in Tshwane, where a family endured an eight-day power outage, exemplifies the strain many residents still face, even as national power grid improvements are made. This incident highlights the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure and better communication in power outage management.

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The Long Wait for Power Restoration

A resident of Rietondale, Corne Marx, and her family endured a harrowing eight-day wait without power. Despite repeatedly reaching out to the City of Tshwane and Eskom, the issue remained unresolved for days. Over the course of the outage, Marx made more than 60 calls and 50 escalations to try to get a resolution. The family spent over R4,000 on fuel traveling to monitor the situation and pursue answers.

Marx’s family had to take extreme measures, including boiling water on a gas stove to provide basic necessities for her elderly mother and husband. After almost a week of frustration, the power was finally restored when a simple fix was made, an issue with a wire was addressed with isolation tape at the Morrison Avenue circuit breaker.

Eskom’s Reported Power System Improvements

In 2025, Eskom reported a 3.1GW reduction in unplanned outages nationwide, which is an indication of the power grid’s improving stability. These improvements have led Eskom to project fewer blackouts and better overall electricity availability across South Africa.

However, these national improvements have not been universally felt. As the case in Tshwane highlights, localised problems; such as faulty infrastructure, cable theft, and delayed repairs; continue to plague certain areas. Residents in those regions may still experience extended outages despite national progress.

Localised Power Supply Challenges in Tshwane

Tshwane’s electricity network faces multiple challenges, contributing to the delays in restoring power during outages. Key issues include:

• Aging infrastructure requiring frequent repairs and maintenance.
• Cable faults and electrical equipment failures that disrupt supply.
• Vandalism and cable theft, which cause significant damage to substations and delay the repair process.

In the case of Marx’s family, the Zwartkop Substation, which was being repaired, was central to the outage. The repairs, which took multiple days to complete, ultimately caused the power disruption to last for an extended period.

City of Tshwane’s Role in Outage Management

The City of Tshwane has a communication protocol for dealing with power issues, encouraging residents to report outages through various channels. This includes:

• 24/7 call centre: 012 358 9999
• Toll-free number: 080 111 1556
• Email: [email protected]
• Report Power Failure

The city advises residents to use these platforms to report outages and track the progress of repairs, ensuring that issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Impact on Daily Life and Community

The impact of a long-term power outage is far-reaching, affecting many aspects of daily life. Affected households, such as Marx’s, faced:

• Disrupted refrigeration of food and medicine, compromising health and safety.
• Interruptions to household routines and comfort.
• Difficulty maintaining work-from-home arrangements.
• A breakdown of security and safety systems, making homes more vulnerable.

Marx’s family struggled with these issues throughout the outage, highlighting the broader consequences of power failures that go beyond mere inconvenience.

Why Continued Investment Is Crucial

While national power grid improvements have been reported, localised outages like the one experienced in Tshwane demonstrate that much work remains to be done. It is critical that ongoing investment focuses on:

• Upgrading aging infrastructure to prevent future breakdowns.
• Faster response teams to address and repair faults quickly, particularly in cases involving theft.
• Improved communication between residents and power providers, ensuring clear and timely updates.

A focus on these areas can significantly reduce the occurrence of prolonged outages and improve reliability across the country.

Tips for Residents During Power Outages

In the event of a power outage, residents can take practical steps to minimise inconvenience and reduce damage:

• Confirm the outage’s cause and estimated restoration time through official channels.
• Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid power surges when electricity returns.
• Prepare alternative power sources, such as battery packs or generators, for essential needs.
• Keep essential devices charged and use energy-efficient lighting to reduce strain on backup power.
• Stay informed via social media, city updates, and load-shedding apps.

These measures can help residents mitigate the effects of power failures and protect their homes and appliances.

Broader Context: Power Supply and Stability in South Africa

Despite Eskom’s reported improvements, South Africa’s power system remains under significant strain. Ongoing challenges, such as planned maintenance and power theft, continue to affect service delivery. While Eskom is working to stabilise the grid and reduce outages, the experience in Tshwane reflects how progress is not always felt equally by all residents.

How Residents Can Engage for Better Service

Residents can actively contribute to improving power supply reliability by:

• Reporting outages promptly and providing accurate information.
• Communicating respectfully with service providers to ensure issues are escalated efficiently.
• Supporting local initiatives that help protect electrical infrastructure from theft and vandalism.
• Staying informed about load shedding and planned outages through Eskom and city channels.

When residents stay engaged and proactive, it creates pressure for quicker resolutions and more accountable service delivery.

Power Security for Tshwane

The eight-day outage in Tshwane serves as a reminder that reliable electricity is still an ongoing challenge in some areas. While Eskom and the City of Tshwane continue to make improvements, localised issues persist. For residents, being prepared and knowing how to engage effectively with service providers can ease the burden of outages and help ensure faster resolutions in the future.

Power outages have far-reaching consequences beyond just missing lights… They impact the health, safety, and daily routines of affected families. Continued investment in infrastructure, along with better communication, is key to improving everyone’s power supply.