On Wednesday, the national power Utility, Eskom, announced that the country would be plunged into Stage 6 Rolling Blackouts.
This is an almost unprecedented move, signaling that we are indeed in the middle of a crisis, that if it not properly addressed could lead to the most devastating consequences for us all.
The latest GDP figures, showing an upswing, although from a low base, of 1,6% quarter-on-quarter will be in vain if our energy crisis is not addressed; this is especially true for Joburg – the economic hub of our beloved country.
Where we are as a country worries me, but I am also cognisant of the fact that as a leader, I cannot just worry, I, along with the women and men of Joburg’s Mayoral Committee, must find solutions. We have been elected to act, and to do so with integrity, care, and openness.
Joburg’s problems are many, but we have identified the spaces where we cannot just make an immediate impact, that will maybe get us re-elected, but we are working towards long-lasting progammes that will sustainably transform the lives of residents for generations to come.
And critical to making this possible are the skills and tools that you are now armed with that will help with the repair and rebuild of Joburg.
Esteemed graduates,
One of the Joburg Multi-Party Government’s key areas of focus is energy – we want to stabilise City Power’s existing infrastructure by ensuring that we maintain existing infrastructure, as well as investing in the refurbishment and upgrading existing stock.
We are not stopping there. If Joburg and the country are not just to survive but bloom and grow, it requires that as a City, we begin reducing our reliance on Eskom and fossil fuels. It therefore pleases me to know that iLab is investing in empowering its graduates in the field of renewable energy.
When the lights go off in Joburg, the entire country feels it. Lives and livelihoods come to a standstill.
With the knowledge that you are invested in renewable energy and the need to get the economy of Joburg and the country moving, we have begun calling upon Independent Power Producers, through Requests For Proposal to submit their ideas for keeping the lights on.
The first RFPs for short-term supply (3 years) from the IPPs have been published. This is part of our drive to procure an additional 500MW of reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. With your skills, we are ready to start seeing the back of rolling blackouts, so that we can get the economic capital of South Africa working again.
MMC Mbundu,
It is not just about keeping the lights on, but it is also about ensuring that as a government we are able to create an environment that is conducive to job creation through the creation of new enterprises and the growth of existing businesses so that the ably qualified graduates seated here today do not only repair and rebuild Soweto, Joburg, or the country but are able to show what Joburg is made of across the world.
Today, also testament to the need for academia, business, and government to work together towards a common goal: a country that works. Government, even this government cannot do it on its own.
To the graduates,
The path you have walked has not been easy, but it was worthy investment in your own futures, your communities and Joburg. I want to both congratulate you and thank you!
Ke a leboga. Ngiyabonga. Thank you!
ENDS…
For media queries, please contact:
Mabine Seabe
Director: Mayoral Communication
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
084 677 7851
08/12/2022
