What is happening with the electricity in South Africa?

 Sharkbok
I can summarize the electricity problems in one word - maladministration.   Let mne explain.   About 7 years ago I was involved in the approval process of a Peak Power Plant to be built in our area by a private contractor - there were supposed two of those to be built to supply circa 2000 MW to the system.  The private companies would then sell the electricity they produce to Eskom.   
For the next three years I kept phoning the Department concerned - Mineral and Energy Affairs - to find out what is going on.  The whole thing went dead.  In November last year there were indications that  the construction of the two power plants were going ahead and I one day went to the site and they did start with construction work.   Yesterday I took another drive to the site and they are apparently working 24 hours a day to get the plant operational - much more effective since it is a private concern.
However, at this stage in general power to areas are cut off for two hours per day.  I am lucky though - I have my own sun and wind electricity system at home and is not really affected by the two hour daily cut.
The State of the Nation Speech was chaotic.   They buggered up badly as to be expected.   First of all the Parliamentary staff went on strike because of service condition problems.   Then there were demonstrations in Cape Town against Zuma earlier in the day and the Police used to what many regards as excessive force and arrest even DA Members of Parliament.   Not a good sign as to what would follow.
The first problem was that they jammed the Cell signals within Parliament and the media representatives could not send reports to their papers.   The DA objected and said it was unconstitutional.   After some serious objections Ramaphosa sent a note to the Minister concerned and the jamming was stopped.
Then the microphone to be used by Zuma malfunctioned - which the Speaker blamed on the striking workers - but that was also restored and Zuma could start with his speech.   Before Zuma could start with his speech Malema raised a point of order and got involved in a serious argument with the Speaker.   He was told to take his seat and when he persisted and another member tried to raise the point again.  Chaos - and the Police moved in and removed all the members of the EEF from the House.
The DA previously objected to the Police entering the chamber as unconstitutional and when the Speaker could not explain who was the people removing the EEF members and could not deny that the Police were involved - all the DA members got up and together with other minor parties walked out of the Chamber.  
The speech could ultimately start about 45 minutes late with only ANC members in the Chamber - but the various issues are now in the High Court and all parties are still screaming murder.   The Speech was OK - but the circumstances not so.   Embarrassing to say the least.                         

 It's not that cold here !! 

 It's not that cold here !! 

 In NZ any power cuts that could deprive the locals of more than ten minutes of 'Coronation Street' would lead to a snap election & a change of government .

 I think the opposite might be true here.....we might keep them in power forever 

 Cricket

Christmas

 

 
I'll have to come to England for the Rugby World Cup...cannot take the risk the risk of load shedding

This is what the real truth is

 

How long has Zuma been in charge of South Africa now? 
In most countries in the world, a president cannot be in power longer than 8 or 12 years. I think it is 8 years in USA, and 12 years in Europe. 
Mbeki stood down after his reign was over, but I doubt Zuma will.Have people that will not vote for the ANZ considered moving to the Cape so that they can make the DA stronger? 
I did hear their was a relocation scheme but I think it was initiated by the "government".
With computers having more and more influence on life each day, South Africa cant even produce enough electricity...... It is frustrating being outside of South Africa and seeing this. If I was in SA and this was happening, I think I would be even more annoyed. I go crazy when I have speed issues with the internet, dont know what I would do with no electricity. Beeno could not watch all the rugby this weekend, due to electricity cuts.  I have had an electricity meter ages ago, and it is freezing without electricity when I forgot to top it up. 
Apparently the GDP of South Africa is only one percent, and given all the natural minerals this is terrible. Apparently the electricity issues are having effects on the economy output, and more international investment is leaving because it just is not attractive to have a despot in charge of a country who is taking civilization back to candles. Somehow I doubt Zuma's new palace ever runs out of electricity, while the rest of the country could have more and more time with candles. If Zuma does not step down at the end of his reign, maybe their should be a revolt to take him out of office.

Now that's really stupid. The GDP of South Africa is only one per cent. One per cent of what? I suspect what you are trying to say is its up only one per cent. But even that is silly....with the massive collapse of commodities especially gold in the last five years, why would you expect the GDP to be growing quickly in a country with a commodity based economy?

It's fine leaving the country,  but stupidly taking shots at it, when you don't even know what you are talking about is a bit offensive. 

Mozart why dont you just F u c k off. 
I dont comment on anything that you say anymore. I have got to the conclusion that Rooineck is right about you. You are a total loser that when ever they lose an argument get personal. 
You take internet blogging to seriously, and when ever you lose an argument you list your online CV, or you comment on other peoples salaries- of which you know nothing about. Then you hold a grudge against the person that beats you in an arguement for the rest of eternity. 
People are leaving this board because of you(e.g. Arthur), and how many know how have left in the past. You did seem to be involved with the Argentinian professional leaving, and Biltongbek seemed to be in arguments with you, far more than he was with other bloggers put together. I dont recall him being in any significant arguments with other posters- except you.
Recently you wrote a post asking if you should leave. Most of the strongest opinions were in favour of you leaving. I think I will dig up that post considering so many people have left his board because of you. It was just the really nice people that felt sorry for you and said you should not leave. 
You know that I mean GDP for annual growth, when is it not annually. The countries with the fastest GDP are traditional 3rd world countries like China and India. Just because a country has natural assets, does not mean they should "only" base their economy on this. This is just a bonus. 
I am South African and I can comment on the current status regardless of if I still live in the country or not. I am not taking shots at the people or parts of South Africa that I like. Like many people that left SA, their was allways some hope of returning one day. At my age, I did not have much choice but to leave. 
It is the pathetic government I am taking shots at, which is obvious. 
I am not going to discuss this, or anything further with you. Infact if you continue to try strike up conversation with me I will probably join the exodus of people that have left this board because of you. 

If you are not going to " discuss this" no need to write half a page making the point. 

Still trying to speak to me I see.......

Grow up punk, you made a snide, stupid post...and you were exposed. If that hurts your feelings I couldn't care less.

 The trouble is there is no alternative black party of accountability, ability and non racial that is emmerging. They are a hopeless bunch and leave scant hope that we will enjoy the furture that is possible in this country if it were well governed. 
Govt were told seven yeras before the time when electricty would run out and the projections were 100% accurate. Eskom, as I understand it, is owned by government who never gave the go ahead to increase our power output. Its so pathetic it beggars belief. 
Nobody wants anybody to leave. I regret sharky 54 departure but have to say his tantrums came as a surprise to me they were so overboard. I think some guys are sensitive underneath it all.

id check the saffa rugby players gym bags, im sure u will find enough juice there for all of south africas needs, LMAO

 BBlikkies
I got a system installed comprising 3 sun panels (special type that is effective even in rainy conditions) and a small wind turbine.   The system provides furthermore for an invertor, Control System and 12 special batteries.
In the first instance I must say there are more expensive systems that would allow you to feed back electricity to the Municipality - but most Municipalities do not have tariffs to pay you for that service.
The system I installed are  rather expensive and at todays prices may set you back circa R150 000.    The Invertor on its own coat over R30 000.   
The company who installed my system is owned by a Mr Chris Coetzee.  You used to operate from Ballito - has moved to Cape Town - but operates throughout SA.   You can contact him at 0828299210.  Just mention to him that you got his telephone number from the guy in Tinley Manor Beach and he will be very good advising you as to the way to go.     

 Nice to see you around brother saSUE  you have been sorely missed!Just to say that guy third from the right in your post is not a bad saSUE representation.
saSUE the wee chiefies are teatering on the brink of defeat a bit to often and the Brumbies were the better side. I do trust you are not building up your hopes too high this season ala those nutters JW hacked waaugh my friend brycy and company.(Please not how nicely I let dear Cloudy down so gently warning her not to watch the Blues game against the Stormers).
Any winning run looks like coming to an end at Newlands so keep your feet on  the ground and harken unto Beeno at all times!

@brother beeno,

thnx buddy, its good to be back and i have to admit ive missed ur sense of humour a lot, odd considering how u go out of ur way to avoid facts and wit,

but thnx for bringing this guy back . OMG i love his spiffy blue duds, LMAO,

and u couldnt be more wrong regarding the chiefs, and not for the reasons u think.
im backing my hurricanes to go all the way this year.
we got rid of that clown mark hammet and straight away boyd and plumtree pull two from two wins in SA, i mean thats already equaled the total number of wins the entire 2014 south african conference racked up in NZ,

but as for the chiefs vs the stormers, im sure when the time comes, the two time champions will have no trouble disposing of the zero times champions like they have so many times before, after all, the chiefs have the worlds best lock, super rugbys best coach.the stormers are only world leaders in rugby when it comes to steroids,