Cyril Ramaphosa Wants South Africa to Tackle High Electricity Costs After Ending Load Shedding

• President Cyril Ramaphosa used his weekly letter to the nation to shift focus to the high cost of electricity in South Africa
• Ramaphosa stated that load shedding had ended, and now the rising electricity prices needed to be tackled
• South Africans weighed in on the president's statement of intention, sharing varied reactions to his comments

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the country to turn its attention to the rising cost of electricity, warning that ending load shedding alone is not sufficient to secure South Africa's energy future.

Writing in his weekly letter to the nation on Monday, 31 August 2026, Ramaphosa acknowledged the progress made in stabilising Eskom's performance.

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He did caution against complacency, arguing that affordability and reliability must now become the government's primary energy objectives.

"Our task, therefore, is not simply to produce enough electricity. We need electricity that is reliable, affordable and increasingly clean," Ramaphosa wrote.

Decades of rising tariffs weighing on South Africans

The president noted that electricity prices had climbed steeply over the past 20 years, placing growing financial strain on households and increasing the operational costs faced by businesses and potential investors.

He said this trajectory was unsustainable and demanded structural reform of the electricity sector. As part of that effort, government has published a new Electricity Pricing Policy designed to introduce transparent tariffs, shield consumers from inefficiencies within the system, and widen access for lower-income households.

The policy also aims to open the door to competition in electricity generation. In parallel, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is finalising regulations for a competitive wholesale electricity market, a mechanism Ramaphosa said could drive efficiency gains and attract private investment.

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"This competition can drive greater efficiency, encourage investment and put downward pressure on the cost of electricity," he said.

South Africans push back online

The announcement drew scepticism from many South Africans responding to the post on social media.

Andrew Lito Mohlakwana commented:

"I think he means his cabinet, not ordinary South Africans."

Nkwali Thendele Shiba dismissed the statement, saying:

"Electioneering."

Lilla Hunter pointed to executive pay as part of the problem:

"The fat cats at Eskom are receiving salaries that don't fit their portfolios."

Santa Vos questioned the timing amid rising fuel costs:

"Ag please. I just heard that the price of petrol and diesel is going up in September. Cheaper electricity?"

Leon Rossouw laid the blame squarely on mismanagement:

"They rose because of corruption and incompetence at Eskom. Now all South Africans have to pay for that corruption and incompetence (aided and abetted by the ANC) in the form of sky-high electricity tariffs."

Ramaphosa credits African National Congress for ending load shedding

Briefly News highlighted facts about President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent claims regarding South Africa's achievement of ending load shedding.

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The president attributing the success to the African National Congress's leadership, noting that the country passed 450 days without load shedding.

South Africans took to social media to question whether the ANC truly deserves credit, given its historic role in the power crisis that plagued the nation for years.

Source: Briefly News