Bosa’s Mmusi Maimane: Stage 6 load shedding embarrasses SA in front of the world

Build One SA (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane has criticized the government for failing to warn South Africans about the possibility of higher stages of load shedding over the weekend.

His remarks come after Eskom announced on Sunday that several units at various power stations were down, forcing the power utility to escalate rolling blackouts.

According to Eskom, more than 7,000MW of power is currently offline for planned maintenance, and emergency reserves have been depleted.

Maimane: Citizens Deserved a Warning

Speaking to The Citizen on Sunday, Maimane expressed his frustration with how the situation was handled, arguing that the government should have given citizens advance notice.

“Eskom’s leadership is doing its best, but our political leaders should have warned citizens. Our economy can’t afford further power cuts,” he said.

Mmusi Maimane

His comments reflect the growing frustration of many South Africans who are once again experiencing prolonged power outages.

Load Shedding Embarrassment Amid G20 Preparations

The return of stage 6 load shedding comes at a critical time for South Africa, as international delegates are currently in the country for preparatory meetings related to the G20 summit, which is set to take place later this year.

Maimane believes that ongoing power cuts damage the country’s global reputation and undermine efforts to attract foreign investment.

“Load shedding, along with water shedding, will be the legacy of the government of national unity. It’s embarrassing at all times, but worse at this time,” he stated.

His remarks highlight a growing concern that South Africa’s persistent energy crisis could discourage international investors, further weakening the struggling economy.

Call for Diversified Energy Sources

Maimane also called for urgent action to diversify the country’s energy sources, stating that continued power cuts would have devastating effects on investment and economic growth.

“We certainly require urgent action, as its impact on investment is profound. South Africa needs to grow at 5%, but it will not be investable with continued power cuts. The lack of foreign investment is the voice of the international community,” he warned.

His comments reflect concerns from economic experts who have long argued that load shedding is one of the biggest barriers to sustainable economic growth in South Africa.

How Can the Government Address Load Shedding?

Political analyst Theo Neethling, from the University of the Free State (UFS), also weighed in on the issue, highlighting how load shedding has become a public embarrassment with foreign diplomats in the country.

“This is not the kind of thing the country wants to experience while G20 delegations are visiting. We have several international representatives here, and this is the last thing the government would like to see,” he said.

However, Neethling acknowledged that the government has limited control over the current situation.

“The return of load shedding is out of the government’s hands,” he explained.

“You have two power stations down, and this is beyond the control of the president,” he added.

His remarks suggest that while citizens expect solutions, the problem lies with Eskom’s aging infrastructure, which continues to struggle with frequent breakdowns and maintenance backlogs.

Public Frustration Grows

The latest round of load shedding has reignited public anger, with many South Africans expressing frustration over the lack of a long-term solution.

Social media has been flooded with complaints from business owners, students, and workers who are struggling to function without consistent electricity.

Experts warn that without immediate intervention, load shedding will continue to cripple businesses, disrupt productivity, and slow down economic recovery.

The Way Forward

While the government cannot control technical failures, Maimane and other critics argue that better communication and a clear energy plan are essential to restore public confidence.

If South Africa wants to attract investment, boost economic growth, and regain its international reputation, it must find a sustainable solution to its electricity crisis—before it’s too late.