The community of Roodepoort have had enough so they have hosted a series of protests in the hopes of ending the 8-day blackouts they have faced this week.
Roodepoort, South Africa (17 February 2023) – South Africans are facing very real problems with water and electricity as once-maintained grids, now crumble and form faults depending on the local municipality. For the community of Roodepoort, loadshedding has gone beyond just the schedule; the community has faced consecutive days without power. Many of them are saying enough is enough and taking to the streets to let their municipal officials know that this will not stand. While they protest to gain access back to the failing power grid, the community is also changing; neighbours are becoming friends, united in the same cause.
We spoke to several people from the Roodepoort community, who recently took part in the community protests to find out what life has been like without power and what kind of change they have felt in the community since.
According to residents, the power has been defective, since early December. Over the last week, they’ve had three full days of total blackout, then one day of restored power, before a 2-hour loadshedding block then turned into a further three-day blackout again.
Mental health has slipped, anxiety is on the rise, financial burdens are being felt as families are losing food kept frozen, children are going without warm baths and everyone sits in total darkness, not only due to the power but by lack of communication from those in power!
Enough is enough – A community unites.
The community felt pushed aside as no official reason for the blackouts was communicated. Many started WhatsApp groups to communicate what little information they could find. It was through these groups that the Roodepoort residents heard about the Sterretjie Street community in Willowbrook that took to the streets to protest and had their power restored within the hour.
The very next day, the call to action went out. Every complex and lifestyle estate in the area joined together to make it known that they wouldn’t stand for the blackouts any longer. Resident Shelley Pembroke shared that after two years in her complex, she was able to meet most of her neighbours in one day. As they stood demanding change and better service delivery, they became friends. Moms created a helpful mom group to communicate beyond the power crisis. They united.
“In total, probably around 100 – 120 residents joined. Bins were moved into the road and loudly drummed. The kids from the area were singing songs about how they want to eat and shower. Police were on-site to ensure nothing got too rowdy. Honestly, if you threw in some whisky and a braai (and maybe some electricity) it would have been a great neighbourhood party.
Shortly after the protesters dispersed, our power was restored. Victory, right? Unfortunately this morning we are once again without power and no indication of next steps to be taken. Maybe it’s time for Protest 2: Electric Boogaloo?
For me personally, the constant outages have put so much strain on my mental health and finances. Having to replace food every 2nd day, buying data to stay connected, using way more than my budgeted petrol to hop from place to place charging the essentials. As a single mom, nothing upsets me more about the situation than how it affects my kid. I haven’t been able to make him a meal and have dinner with him. I have to drive him to family members’ houses to have a warm bath. And I am one story out of hundreds. There are so many hardworking, caring people in the area who just aren’t catching the break that they need.
The amazing thing is that this crisis seems to have brought our little community closer together. I’ve become friends with neighbours that I’d never met before. Our kids are playing outside together instead of glued to the TV. I’ve personally sat in the dark with several of the other single moms having a few whiskies and slagging off the useless powers that be. Nothing unites people like a common enemy, am I right?”
Fellow neighbour Elsa Gericke shared that the lack of communication and support has been the most frustrating part of the entire experience, that and of course, the loss of food, warm water and the security that comes with having electricity.
“City Power has generic responses on Twitter and the ward councillor for Ward 97, who does not reside in the area so is not affected, can only repost and share what City power shares. No engagement, no support, no interaction. It has been ridiculous.”
Speaking about the actual protest, the community remained peaceful, wanting authorities to be the ones to take real action. Children were excited to stand up for their own rights, demanding the power be returned so they can eat – a basic human right!
“We shouted, we danced, the kids chanted “we need to eat” and some banging on dustbins. The road was blocked but cars were allowed to pass. It was peaceful and demonstrative but never destructive. This area has suffered enough, We need to be heard and we need to be heard now.”
There is a very real issue here and its are not only affecting these two communities. Millions of South Africans are facing increased service delivery failures and that is not okay! Perhaps the only way officials will listen, is if more South Africans peacefully stand up and demand change.
If ward councillors are failing your community, you have the power to vote them out. Change is in the hands of the people; they just need to use it. By the looks of it, South Africans are ready to make a change…
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