Social media users have expressed mixed opinions regarding Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s apology after Eskom implemented load shedding for the first time in almost a year.
This past weekend, Eskom implemented Stage 6 load shedding in the early hours of Sunday, just hours after announcing Stage 3.
This also marked the second instance of load shedding in less than a month, with the power utility citing multiple unit trips as the cause for the blackouts. Earlier in the week, the level of load shedding was reduced following a recovery period.
On Wednesday, Eskom suspended load shedding, and Ramokgopa issued an apology to the country.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my most sincere apology for the gross inconvenience and disruption inflicted on households, business and industry as a result of loadshedding experienced over the past 3 days,” the minister said on X( formely Twitter).
“Load shedding of any intensity should never be normalised in our country,” Ramokgopa added.
“I also want thank the competent, skilled, patriotic and hard working men and women of ESKOM led by the Group CEO Mr. Dan Marokane for returning the generating units swiftly back into operation.
“I give you my assurance that we are working hard to eliminate loadshedding permanently in our country. As we do this we are likely to suffer temporary setbacks as we did recently but we will prevail at the end.”
Ramokgopa says plans are made to end load shedding permanetly
His apology divided opinions on X( Twitter).
@GodPenuel wrote: “Thank you for your apology, Sputla. It really means a lot to some of us. I hope your colleagues can learn from your example and also apologize when they fall short in their job specs. Goodluck to yourself & the Eskom team. Keep letting us know how we can help.”
Former 5FM radio presenter Gareth Cliffpraised Ramokgopa for taking accountability for the stage 6 load shedding that occurred in the country this past Sunday.
“Thanks Minister. Great to see not only accountability, but good manners we don’t usually get from government. This stuff matters. We all want the country to succeed,” he said.
“Load shedding is a well planned and orchestrated business model,” tweeted @JerezFynn
“Don’t apologize becoz load shedding will be back again,” tweeted @_Mkha_Lu2li
Ramokgopa said the electricity department will soon announce comprehensive measures to end load shedding and load reduction.
Do you accept Ramokgopa’s apology?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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