Download PDFAs temperatures plummet with the arrival of winter, the communities of Mabuyaze and Bhekela in EziBeleni are bracing themselves for another cold season without reliable electricity. These two smaller sections of EziBeleni have long been plagued by inconsistent electricity supply, a problem that worsens during winter months.
For the past three to four years, residents of these areas have faced the harsh reality of winter without electricity, a pattern that repeats itself annually. The lack of maintenance of the electrical infrastructure has led to frequent power outages, often caused by faulty power lines or transformer failures, leaving the community in darkness for up to a week or more.
The Bhekela and Mabuyaze communities are among the most vulnerable, with high unemployment rates and low-income households relying heavily on social grants. This makes it extremely challenging for residents to afford basic necessities like fuel for cooking, heating, and bathing. Students are particularly affected, as the inability to stay warm makes it difficult for them to attend school during the cold weather.
The situation highlights the urgent need for improved electrical infrastructure and maintenance to ensure that these communities have access to reliable electricity, especially during the harsh winter months.
This article was submitted on 15 July 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
