In what can only be described as impeccable timing, South Africa’s beloved power utility Eskom has once again demonstrated its masterful grasp of public relations. Just hours after learning they wouldn’t get their Christmas wish of a 36% tariff increase – getting instead a mere 12,7% – they responded with their favourite party trick: plunging the nation into darkness.
For more than 15 years Eskom has perfected the art of delivering less while asking for more. It’s a business model so brilliant it defies conventional wisdom: provide worse service, demand more money, and when denied, provide even less service. If only other businesses could get away with such innovation in customer relations.
Meanwhile, those pesky, proactive citizens who dare to take matters into their own hands by investing in solar are now facing a new challenge. Eskom and municipalities, apparently disturbed by this display of self-reliance, have responded with a labyrinth of regulations. Heaven forbid we find ways to keep the lights on without Eskom’s permission.
As Saffas we’ve become unwitting experts in planning our lives around power outages. Perhaps it’s time for Eskom to realise that reliability and competence might be better bargaining chips than threats and blackouts.
