Dear Editor
With no end in sight to pervasive power cuts from Eskom, it is more important than ever that the Western Cape ensures its readiness for all scenarios. As a result, I will today be writing to the Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, to ensure that the province’s disaster management infrastructure is prepared for the worst-case scenarios of Stage 8+ loadshedding, or a total grid collapse.
The last week has seen a shocking series of breakdowns and failures decimate the generating capacity of Eskom by 50%. In most instances, this has been caused by the shutting down of inadequately-maintained, decades-old power plants. The implication is clear: this crisis is one of national government’s own making. Under the ANC, South Africa’s government has repeatedly dropped the ball in securing the country’s power supply, and provincial governments and individual citizens have been left to pay the price.
Despite these challenging circumstances, the Western Cape Government has a proven track record of mitigating Eskom’s failures. The City of Cape Town frequently insulates its customers from the worst of national load shedding, and the Western Cape is host to some of the most innovative measures in the country. In response to the current Stage 6 loadshedding, Premier Alan Winde and his cabinet have spent much of the weekend working on limiting the negative impact of the ongoing power cuts, and will hold an emergency meeting at 17:00 tonight to plan their response further. The Western Cape cabinet was also briefed by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) on the Western Cape’s response to the implementation of Stage 6, with encouraging results.
However, national government’s clear inability to resolve the power crisis means that all scenarios must be considered. However unlikely, we must consider the possibility of large-scale, long term power cuts, or a total national blackout. As is already the case during Stage 6 loadshedding, these scenarios will place intense strain on critical infrastructure, including power transmission facilities, water purification plants, and hospitals. With this in mind, the Western Cape Government is creating adequate and forward-thinking contingency plans, and ensuring that the Western Cape is entirely ready to respond to a worst-case scenario event.
I will be addressing parliamentary questions to Minister Bredell this week to ensure that such plans are in place, and that the needs of our citizens can be met even under such circumstances. The PDMC’s proven track record of excellence in responding to the ongoing disaster of loadshedding means that I have confidence in the ability of the Western Cape Government to mitigate and respond to even the most harrowing of possible scenarios. I urge citizens to use electricity sparingly, and not to lose hope in our ability to work together as a province toward overcoming this challenge.
Regards
Derrick America, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Local Government
