Loadshedding Woes: Foschini Group Loses 99k Trading Hours Due to Continued Power Cuts

• The Foschini Group lost 99,000 trading hours since September due to the continued power cuts
• The number of lost hours was more than four times higher than in the same period last year
• Most businesses have opted to utilise backup power systems to ensure there are no interruptions

JOHANNESBURG - Loadshedding has wreaked havoc on businesses throughout the country. The Foschini Group was not spared from the devastating effects of the power cuts and has lost 99,000 trading hours since September.

The number of lost hours was more than four times higher than in the same period last year.

The clothing chain store announced the hours to highlight the effects of loadshedding on businesses in South Africa.

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According to TimesLIVE, Eskom is struggling to keep the lights on due to continued breakdowns at the power plant.

Most businesses and shopping malls have opted to utilise backup power systems to ensure there are no interruptions to the electricity supply.

Mybroadband reported that despite the challenges, the Foschini Group’s turnover increased by 17% in the first half of the financial year.

Citizens react to loadshedding:

Francois Du Toit said:

“We’ve had close to a decade of load shedding, that’s way enough time to come up with a backup plan to keep a business going especially one this size. Adapt or die.”

Phumlani Peekay Kunene commented:

“Fire De Ruyter and some of these problems will be resolved.”

Carol Phakade Mabaso posted:

“They had a backup battery but true they needed to have a generator, not battery cause that eventually dies.”

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Edward Oates wrote:

“Eish, it’s really bad now. We go to bed in the darkness. Wake up in darkness. Fridges are ruined, eish what a mess... And a huge bill... Gov has failed us badly.”

Noreen Lekha added:

“No surprises at all! Especially when people open accounts with fraudulent details eating up their profits and now Eskom can’t do their jobs it naturally affects the life span of the company. Hopefully, Foschini lives through this because there are people who actually can’t afford to purchase cash and need these stores.”

Government can’t touch Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter out of fear of undue interference

In a related matter, Briefly News also reported Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter’s fate is firmly in the hands of the power utility’s board because the executive cannot interfere.

This is according to Deputy President David Mabuza, who told the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, 20 October, that government’s hands are tied when comes to firing De Ruyter.

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Mabuza added that the newly-appointed Eskom board is responsible for reviewing De Ruyter’s performance and axing him if they feel the CEO’s performance is not up to par, TimesLIVE reported.

Source: Briefly News