“Our Biggest Enemies Are Eskom and SARS”: R1.6K for Just 414 Units of Electricity Has SA Enraged
- A local man took to social media to voice his frustrations about the high cost of electricity, sparking a wider conversation about Eskom's pricing
- The man shared a video on his TikTok account, which garnered significant attention from other users who shared similar concerns
- Social media users reacted with a mix of anger and dismay, flooding the comments to share their financial struggles with rising electricity costs
- Briefly News asked financial expert Fulufhelani Mashapha how important it is for families to factor in the hidden costs of running electricity
Source: TikTok
A content creator sparked a widespread conversation about the rising costs of electricity and its impact on South Africans.
The video, shared by TikTok user @quintisjacobs, received an outpouring of reactions from people across the platform.
In the video, @quintisjacobs vents his frustration over the escalating prices of Eskom electricity. He explains that he has seen numerous social media posts from people spending a lot of money to receive very few units in return. To illustrate his point, he refers to a photo of an electricity slip above his video, where a person has paid R1610 for just 414.80 units.
How electricity prices affect South Africans
The man in the clip argues that the electricity supplier has tightened its grip on people's finances with its high unit prices. He highlights that this is difficult during the cold winter season, when electricity consumption naturally increases for heating. He also points out the irony that while people are celebrating the end of loadshedding, Eskom is affecting them in other ways. He concludes by asking his followers about their experiences and the tricks they were using to cope.
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Source: Facebook
Briefly News asked financial expert Fulufhelani Mashapha why it’s important for families to consider the hidden costs of using electricity. She said:
"It is very important to recognize that even small, seemingly insignificant costs can compound and accumulate over time. Savings on these can help households meet other important financial goals."
South Africa debates the electricity price hike
The video gained traction, with social media users flooding the comments to voice their shared frustrations. Many shared the amounts they were spending on electricity each month, expressing that they were finding it difficult to survive.
Some went as far as to label Eskom and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) as the biggest enemies in Mzansi, reflecting a deep-seated anger at the financial burden. Others offered their insight into the issue, noting that the more money spent on electricity, the fewer units they will receive, due to various taxes and charges.
User @Eve shared:
"I'd rather deal with loadshedding than pay R500 for 121 units like we do every week...and the price of power will go up again. Eventually, there will come a time when 80% of households will rely on candles and fire for most of the month. While Eskom thrives and taxes those who can afford solar."
User @OumaQ said:
"This is really bad! We, as a household, need 600 units per month. We are in a two-bedroom flat. How are we going to survive?? I don't know. We don't use heaters or electric blankets, due to expensive electricity."
User @Zipho Tile added:
"I am now installing gas geysers. Even with an efficient solar system, gas stove and geyser timers (off-peak), I find myself paying a lot towards electricity."
User @Tefo Mohanoe commented:
"Our biggest enemies in SA are Escom and SARS."
User @King Jones said:
"Indeed, electricity nowadays is killing us."
User @Mpho advised:
"People don't realise that the more money you pay for electricity, the fewer tokens you get. It's best to buy less than R500 worth of tokens."
Watch the TikTok video below:
Source: Getty Images
3 Briefly News articles about electricity
- A young woman shared a hilarious skit online, as two characters responding to each other, perfectly capturing South Africa's frustration with Eskom's return to load-shedding.
- A local woman shared a video comparing the electricity units bought with R300 in 2014 and 2025, sparking a significant debate about the cost of living in Mzansi.
- A woman from Mpumalanga shared a video of how she turned her fridge into a wardrobe after months without electricity, storing clothes and her toiletries.
Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Bongiwe Mati (Human Interest Editor) Bongiwe Mati is a Human Interest reporter who joined Briefly News in August 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of the Western Cape. Her journalism journey began in 2005 at the university newspaper. She later transitioned to marketing and sales at Leadership Magazine under Cape Media (2007-2009). In 2023, she joined BONA magazine as an Editorial Assistant, contributing to digital and print platforms across current news, entertainment, and human interest categories. Bongiwe can be reached at bongiwe.mati@briefly.co.za
Fulufhelani Mashapha (Author and Actuarial Analyst) Fulufhelani Mashapha is a qualified actuarial analyst and author of 'Mind Your Cents'. She is also a One Young World Ambassador and Personal Finance Youtuber focusing on budgets, debt, savings, insurance and investments.
