{"id":34468,"date":"2024-08-06T20:35:42","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T00:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/joy-and-relief-as-south-africa-manages-to-keep-its-lights-on\/06\/08\/2024\/"},"modified":"2024-08-06T20:35:42","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T00:35:42","slug":"joy-and-relief-as-south-africa-manages-to-keep-its-lights-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/joy-and-relief-as-south-africa-manages-to-keep-its-lights-on\/06\/08\/2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Joy and relief as South Africa manages to keep its lights on"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Regular power cuts had become a feature of South African life and fed feelings the country was moving in the wrong direction, but the electricity supply has been uninterrupted since March leaving people to wonder what has changed.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 96px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:10%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/nyOrg9ZaAPKG.gg3jT5c9Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIwMDA7aD0yMDA-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/c405735e6549b7b1f8fbbeedd02ab12d\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A truncated grey line\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/sUAC0MzgEqSrSJvWS6Md.w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk2\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/c405735e6549b7b1f8fbbeedd02ab12d\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">[BBC]<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>It is a crisp winter\u2019s day in Johannesburg, a clear blue sky shimmering over the bustling township of Alexandra, or Alex, as it is more commonly known here in South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>Sizeka Rashamosa is standing in her restaurant, a stream of people swirling around her, some delivering crates of beer, another grilling meat on a hotplate. A group of young men are sitting at a sun-drenched table.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t talk,\u201d she says, \u201cI\u2019m busy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It is a far cry from when we first met in March last year, at the height of South Africa\u2019s power crisis and frequent load-shedding, the official term for scheduled power cuts.<\/p>\n<p>Back then Ms Rashamosa had very little electricity, and just one customer. A reflection of the wider impact on the economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe power is everything,\u201d she said at the time. \u201cI\u2019m very stressed. We don\u2019t have money because of the electricity, you can see it\u2019s dark. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll survive in my business. We\u2019ll have to close down after 25 years. It\u2019s terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But now, when she finally finds a few minutes to talk, things are more positive.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe load-shedding is much better now,\u201d she says. \u201cYou can see, there\u2019s electricity. And now I\u2019m busy. I\u2019m going to stay open, no plans to close, not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It is a remarkable turnaround.<\/p>\n<p>Load-shedding began in 2007, reaching a low last year with power cuts often lasting more than half a day.<\/p>\n<p>This year it was expected to get worse. But now there has been no load-shedding for more than four months &#8211; since 05:00 on 26 March to be precise &#8211; the longest break in more than four years.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 540px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:56%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/s16MZ2vNzIOpbUmrYZtMpw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIwNDQ7aD0xMTUw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/0166b67769b6a609dd90ac01e4dc48b1\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"Self-appointed traffic controllers direct traffic, to make money from driver tips, while traffic lights are down during a power shutdown, known locally as loadshedding, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.sW0HFb.Rg.TG5Xqf3RUaw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/0166b67769b6a609dd90ac01e4dc48b1\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Self-appointed traffic controllers direct traffic, to make money from driver tips, while traffic lights are down during a power shutdown, known locally as loadshedding, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.sW0HFb.Rg.TG5Xqf3RUaw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/0166b67769b6a609dd90ac01e4dc48b1\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">Self-appointed traffic controllers were a common sight in Johannesburg as many of the traffic lights failed during load-shedding [Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>How has the turnaround happened, and will power cuts return?<\/p>\n<p>It is largely because of a set of programmes from the state-owned power provider Eskom and the government over the last two years.<\/p>\n<p>In July 2022 President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Energy Action Plan, and the following February he declared a national state of disaster over the electricity crisis.<\/p>\n<p>Soon after he created the role of electricity minister, appointing Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.<\/p>\n<p>And then Eskom launched the two-year Generation Operational Recovery Plan, the key aim of which was to increase the amount of power &#8211; known as the \u201cEnergy Availability Factor\u201d (EAF) &#8211; to 70% of the network\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time Eskom overhauled its leadership, which most point to as a crucial factor.<\/p>\n<p>For years the company had been beset by corruption under former President Jacob Zuma, known as &#8220;state capture&#8221;, when it fell victim to acts of theft and sabotage. A former CEO even claimed to be have been poisoned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you look at them now, it&#8217;s a good mix. You have technical people, you have financial people, you have people with skills in turn around,\u201d says energy analyst Ruse Moleshe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur 40,000 employees that we have are more committed, more motivated, because load-shedding really was discouraging all of us, morale was very low,\u201d says Daphne Mokwena, Eskom\u2019s national spokesperson.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 540px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:56%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/vfE6tHOvXI0aDfNHB_5COA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIwNDQ7aD0xMTUw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/6073c5c33a346f9e926a5405804364ba\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"People, holding banners, stage a protest against energy crisis after electricity outages for long periods of time in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 02, 2023\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/2I1kyYe2HOd9IiooG6NFKg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/6073c5c33a346f9e926a5405804364ba\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People, holding banners, stage a protest against energy crisis after electricity outages for long periods of time in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 02, 2023\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/2I1kyYe2HOd9IiooG6NFKg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/6073c5c33a346f9e926a5405804364ba\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">South Africans will hope they will no longer have to protest to demand a reliable electricity supply [Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Another significant move last year was a 254bn rand ($14bn; \u00a310.9bn) debt-relief package from the treasury to plug Eskom\u2019s financial blackhole.<\/p>\n<p>As a result there has been a substantial reduction in unplanned outages at Eskom\u2019s power stations, that had been caused by break downs in units.<\/p>\n<p>This in turn meant that a programme of planned maintenance could be carried out.<\/p>\n<p>That has led to more energy capacity, and on 23 July it reached 35,000 MW, its highest in six years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere&#8217;s been a pipeline of these large projects,\u201d says energy expert Chris Yelland, referring to the plans that had been put in place since July 2022.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s like having a pipe where you stuff marbles in one end, and you keep on stuffing them in because it takes a long time, and eventually the marbles start popping out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then there are the external factors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first thing one can say is that the total demand for electricity [from Eskom] by the South African economy as a country has been reducing, for a decade,\u201d says Mr Yelland.<\/p>\n<p>This is down to two factors &#8211; the increasing energy bills and the spread of alternative energy sources.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery year we have an electricity price increase from Eskom at several times the inflation rate so the real price of electricity is going up and has been doing so for years,\u201d says Mr Yelland.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd there has been a remarkable increase in solar and battery energy storage systems across the board from individual residential applications, to commercial, industrial mining and agricultural.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sluggish economic growth has also led to less upward pressure on the demand for power.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 794px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:86%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/xBajAu7r82KoPnzpDE6NLg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTE4NDA7aD0xNTg4\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/9929084dd3998f06c967f456f5ca966b\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"&quot;I think we could have managed this situation better when we were told much earlier 'you're going to run out of capacity'&quot;&quot;, Source: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Source description: Minister of Electricity and Energy , Image: South African Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/DCnUC7sopvQBV.h0YRmxFA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTgyOQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/9929084dd3998f06c967f456f5ca966b\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&quot;I think we could have managed this situation better when we were told much earlier 'you're going to run out of capacity'&quot;&quot;, Source: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Source description: Minister of Electricity and Energy , Image: South African Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/DCnUC7sopvQBV.h0YRmxFA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTgyOQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/9929084dd3998f06c967f456f5ca966b\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">&#8220;I think we could have managed this situation better when we were told much earlier &#8216;you&#8217;re going to run out of capacity'&#8221;&#8221;, Source: Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Source description: Minister of Electricity and Energy , Image: South African Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientso Ramokgopa<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Minister Ramokgopa holds frequent media briefings in the capital, Pretoria, by far the most in South Africa\u2019s government, and regularly visits Eskom\u2019s power stations.<\/p>\n<p>He was typically upbeat in his latest briefing, particularly proud of the fact so much was being achieved in winter, the time of year that sees the most demand on power.<\/p>\n<p>But could all of this have happened much sooner?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we could have managed this situation better when we were told much earlier &#8216;you&#8217;re going to run out of capacity, invest in new generation capacity&#8217;,\u201d Mr Ramokgopa told the BBC.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe thought the market will resolve that problem, when in fact the state must lead, and we didn&#8217;t create conditions for the market to respond appropriately.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also admits that load-shedding played a role in the disastrous election result in May for the African National Congress (ANC) when it saw its vote share fall below 50% for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur core base was not convinced that the administration is capable and willing to resolve the problem. We have paid the penalty, we are here, government of national unity are committed to that and to resolve the South African problem. I&#8217;m confident that we&#8217;ll get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As a result of the changes is load-shedding now a thing of the past?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is too soon to claim victory,\u201d said President Ramaphosa in an address last month.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur electricity system is still vulnerable and we cannot yet rule out &#8211; yes &#8211; possible challenges going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There is still the occasional power cut &#8211; what is known as \u201cload reduction\u201d &#8211; whereby Eskom switches off power in high-usage areas to prevent damage to local infrastructure, like transformers, which would in turn lead to more lengthy power cuts.<\/p>\n<p>Eskom mainly attributes this to illegal connections and overcrowding of properties &#8211; what it and the government refer to as \u201cbackyard dwellers\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The government says 5% of South African households are affected by load reduction.<\/p>\n<p>But things seem genuinely positive.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re not out of the woods yet, but the probability of us going back to load-shedding is very slim if we keep doing what we are doing currently\u201d, says Daphne Mokwena.<\/p>\n<p>Back in Alex, Ms Rashamosa is preparing for a busy weekend, one she could not have imagined this time last year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLife is much better now,\u201d she says, then darts off into the back of her restaurant.<\/p>\n<h2>You may also be interested in<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure\">\n<div class=\"caas-figure-with-pb\" style=\"max-height: 295px\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-lightbox caas-img-loader\" style=\"padding-bottom:31%\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/F2o7KIiDCzZU9x7aha32PQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTE5NTI7aD02MDA-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/e70f5e2d3e91b5ce9a04201c81e1134b\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-preview\" alt=\"A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/R53CmdtQyYsC7RR0ZwFhBA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/e70f5e2d3e91b5ce9a04201c81e1134b\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/R53CmdtQyYsC7RR0ZwFhBA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NQ--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/e70f5e2d3e91b5ce9a04201c81e1134b\" class=\"caas-img\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">[Getty Images\/BBC]<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>Go to <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/bbcafrica.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBCAfrica.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBCAfrica.com<\/em><\/a><em> for more news from the African continent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Follow us on Twitter <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCAfrica\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:@BBCAfrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>@BBCAfrica<\/em><\/a><em>, on Facebook at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCnewsafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC Africa;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBC Africa<\/em><\/a><em> or on Instagram at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:bbcafrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>bbcafrica<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>BBC Africa podcasts<\/h2>\n<p><img alt=\"\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\" style=\"display:block\" class=\"lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=75&resize=75 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=100&resize=100 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=150&resize=150 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=240&resize=240 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=320&resize=320 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=500&resize=500 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=640&resize=640 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=800&resize=800 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=1024&resize=1024 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=1280&resize=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/?w=1600&resize=1600 1600w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/a1.api.bbc.co.uk\/hit.xiti\/\"\/><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/joy-relief-south-africa-manages-231057479.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Regular power cuts had become a feature of South African life and fed feelings the country was moving in the wrong direction,<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/joy-and-relief-as-south-africa-manages-to-keep-its-lights-on\/06\/08\/2024\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34468"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34468\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}