Statement by Kevin Mileham MP – DA Spokesperson on Electricity & Energy:
The DA has today demanded an urgent briefing from Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on his so-called Eskom unbundling. We demand that he explain, on the record, why his plan keeps the power grid under Eskom’s control and what warnings his department has received from international funders about this risky approach.
We have also submitted a hard-hitting series of Parliamentary Questions to the Minister. We want him to disclose the legal basis for this “split-entity” model.
South Africans need an independent, reliable electricity system that allows private power producers to compete and bring down costs. Minister Ramokgopa’s plan denies them exactly that. By keeping the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) and the Grid Access Unit (GAU) within Eskom Holdings, he is protecting a failing monopoly instead of creating a fair, competitive market.
This is a mere rebranding of the status quo. Independent Power Producers cannot expect non-discriminatory access to the grid when the gatekeeper reports to the very monopoly it is supposed to compete with. The result: higher electricity prices, slower energy transition, and ongoing supply risk.
International partners are already sounding the alarm. The $8.3 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) funding depends on real, transparent reform. Ramokgopa’s half-hearted plan risks this money, leaving South African taxpayers to cover the R440 billion cost of grid expansion.
President Ramaphosa must make a choice: support the modern, independent grid promised to the world, or allow one Minister to sabotage South Africa’s energy future to protect the ANC’s favourite monopoly.
The DA calls this what it is: The Great Energy Hoax.
Freeway
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”
New Cycle
The last thing I want to do to you is to hurt you, but it is still an option