KEY POINTS
- South Africans in low-income areas like Thembisa are protesting rising electricity costs, which are unaffordable for many families.
- “Energy racism” highlights the systemic issues preventing the black working class from accessing affordable electricity, exacerbating socio-economic divides.
- Protests remain an effective tool for holding government accountable, as demonstrated by Thembisa residents forcing the reversal of a new electricity fee.
Electricity prices in South Africa have risen at a staggering rate over the past 25 years—four times the rate of inflation.
These increases have hit low-income families particularly hard, with some spending up to 20% of their household income just to keep the lights on.
This issue is especially stark for the 15 million South Africans who struggle to put food on the table. For many, the decision between lighting their homes or keeping their food from spoiling is a daily battle.
“Energy racism” is a term used by researchers like Sinwell to describe the systemic oppression that prevents the black working class from accessing affordable electricity. This issue is compounded by political decisions that prioritize market-driven approaches over the needs of the people.
Protests as a Means of Political Change
Protests have long been a feature of South African political life, especially in communities where basic services like electricity are inadequate or unaffordable.
Sinwell argues that these protests are often the only way for disenfranchised citizens to push back against policies that exacerbate inequality. The history of protest in areas like Thembisa shows how local government responses to such concerns have been both ineffective and short-sighted.
In a landmark case, residents of Thembelihle, a township in southwest Johannesburg, fought for over a decade to gain access to electricity. Despite years of negotiations, the local government failed to act, forcing residents to take matters into their own hands. After a three-week occupation in 2015, the government finally conceded, agreeing to electrify 7,000 homes with an investment of R323 million.
Sinwell notes that this struggle was not just about electricity; it was about securing a basic right to live with dignity. The politics of grassroots movements, once criminalized and excluded from mainstream discussions, were eventually acknowledged and institutionalized.
The recent protest in Thembisa serves as a poignant reminder of the power of collective action. When local governments fail to meet the basic needs of their constituents, it’s often the residents themselves who take the lead in pushing for change. The mayor’s decision to suspend the electricity charges after the protest is a testament to the power of organized resistance.
It’s clear that protests are not just a response to the rising costs of living—they are a necessary tool for working-class communities to hold government accountable. The fact that Thembisa residents were able to influence policy with such swift action sends a clear message: when basic services are out of reach, protest remains a vital form of political expression.
