{"id":29658,"date":"2025-09-18T11:12:55","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=29658"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:50:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:50:11","slug":"free-basic-electricity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/free-basic-electricity\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Basic Electricity: Millions Eligible but Few Benefitin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>South Africa\u2019s electricity challenges are not just about loadshedding. Affordability and access remain pressing concerns, particularly for low-income households. Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane recently noted that while around 10 million households qualify for Free Basic Electricity (FBE), only about 2 million currently receive it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This leaves millions of households \u2014 many in Gauteng\u2019s densely populated townships and informal settlements \u2014 without the relief the programme was designed to provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/eskom-120-days-without-load-shedding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eskom Reaches 120 Days Without Load Shedding in South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-free-basic-electricity-was-meant-to-do\">What Free Basic Electricity Was Meant to Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Introduced in 2003, FBE was designed to help indigent households meet essential energy needs such as cooking, lighting, and heating water. The programme provides a set amount of electricity per household each month at no cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the allocation was set more than 15 years ago. Since then, household energy demands and living costs have changed significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThere are about 10 million households classified as indigent. Only two million of those are actually receiving free basic electricity,\u201d Marokane explained in an interview. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-644124972\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-understanding-the-gaps\">Understanding the Gaps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Several factors contribute to the shortfall in delivery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Administrative hurdles:<\/strong> Municipalities oversee FBE access, but outdated registers and bureaucratic delays affect implementation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Awareness levels:<\/strong> Some households do not know they qualify or how to apply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure challenges:<\/strong> Faulty meters, illegal connections, and damaged networks reduce reliable access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Policy lag:<\/strong> The original unit allocation has not been updated to reflect current household needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In Gauteng, these challenges are compounded by higher urban tariffs and service delivery backlogs in metros like Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-cost-of-energy-poverty\">The Cost of Energy Poverty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa recently acknowledged that rising tariffs are \u201cunsustainable\u201d for many households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s unaffordable. It\u2019s giving a big knock to household disposable income. For most families, the choice is between buying a loaf of bread or topping up electricity units,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who qualify for FBE but are not receiving it, the financial pressure can mean relying on unsafe alternatives such as paraffin stoves and candles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-4106114030\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-eskom-s-broader-concerns\">Eskom\u2019s Broader Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Eskom also faces financial losses from illegal connections and the sale of fraudulent electricity tokens. Marokane says these non-technical losses cost the utility billions each year and place additional strain on the grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expanding access to FBE, he noted, could reduce some of the desperation that drives households to unsafe alternatives while also improving revenue protection for the utility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-moving-forward\">Moving Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Energy experts suggest several steps to strengthen the programme:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Update indigent household registers to ensure all eligible families are listed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review and adjust the unit allocation to reflect today\u2019s needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Simplify the application process to speed up access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run awareness campaigns so more households know about the programme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve coordination between Eskom, municipalities, and national government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As one Johannesburg-based analyst observed: <em>\u201cThe framework is already in place. The next step is making sure it works consistently and fairly for everyone who qualifies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1745634025\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-it-matters-for-gauteng\">Why It Matters for Gauteng<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gauteng remains South Africa\u2019s economic hub but also faces some of its deepest inequalities. In communities like Alexandra, Diepsloot, and Tembisa, affordable electricity could make a meaningful difference to households and small businesses alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Access to FBE would not only help families meet daily needs but also reduce reliance on unsafe connections and support township economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-policy-to-practice\">From Policy to Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa has a clear policy on free basic electricity, but implementation gaps remain. Strengthening delivery would help millions of households, particularly in Gauteng, while also contributing to safer, more sustainable energy use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-269659887\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bridging-the-gap-what-can-be-done\">Bridging the Gap: What Can Be Done<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Check eligibility:<\/strong> If you meet the criteria, apply for FBE through your municipality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay informed:<\/strong> Learn about how FBE works and share the information with your community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support safe use:<\/strong> Encourage legal, safe connections while advocating for affordable supply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Engage constructively:<\/strong> Hold local and national leaders accountable while supporting solutions that benefit everyone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Electricity is more than convenience \u2014 it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/business\/2025-09-18-10-million-south-african-households-eligible-for-free-basic-electricity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a basic need<\/a>. By improving access to Free Basic Electricity, Gauteng can help ensure that energy poverty does not continue to hold families back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa\u2019s electricity challenges are not just about loadshedding. Affordability and access remain pressing concerns, particularly for low-income households. Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane recently noted that while around 10 million households qualify for Free Basic Electricity (FBE), only about 2 million currently receive it. This leaves millions of households \u2014 many in Gauteng\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":29659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"South Africa\u2019s electricity challenges are not just about loadshedding. 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