Privatization, which is only increasing under the current Government of National Unity (GNU), has caused the rising electricity prices, according to NUMSA.

Suffering a loss of real incomes over the last five years, members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) picketed the corporate office of South Africa’s largest defense industry, demanding wage hike and reinstatement of benefits.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has struck a deal with Eskom, the public electric company securing better wages, housing allowance and a lump sum payment for the workers

The Court has granted urgent relief sought by NUMSA and 18 other applicants to exempt public hospitals, schools, and police stations from rotational power cuts, recognizing that load shedding infringed upon constitutional rights. A decision on Part B of the application seeking final relief is awaited.

NUMSA and the United Democratic Movement are among 19 applicants who have brought a case against the government and state energy company Eskom seeking relief from rolling power cuts that have inflicted severe damage on the economy and public services.

An application filed by NUMSA along with other trade unions, political parties, and civil society groups seeks urgent action to end load-shedding and a recent hike in electricity tariffs by Eskom as power outages endanger South Africa’s infrastructure and economy 

Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, Spokesperson of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, explains the devastating energy crisis in South Africa and how it might pave the way for greater privatization of the sector

South Africa’s national energy regulator has approved an 18.65% hike in electricity tariffs by state-owned electricity utility company Eskom. The decision comes amid record power outages and a years-long energy crisis

South Africa is set to implement an $8.5bn plan funded by western countries to transition from coal-based energy to renewables. The country’s biggest union NUMSA has warned this plan will only intensify privatization while burdening South Africans with debt and poverty.

Vashna Jagarnath of the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party talks about the escalating power crisis in South Africa and the impact it is having on the poor. She also analyzes the failure of the government to come up with solutions to the problem

Behind rolling power cuts in South Africa loom deep-seated socioeconomic issues worsened by the rich countries of the world

The South African Federation of Trade Unions, which has called for the strike, has put forward demands for a radical change in policy, including measures such as the nationalization of all strategic monopoly industries and a living minimum wage of at least R12,500 (USD $854)