There is only one week left until electricity prices rise 12.7% on April 1, 2025 – Fossil Fool’s Day – and South Africans are about to take a hit to hit the pocket. This increase will further strain already struggling households who are forced to choose basic essentials and electricity, along with the upcoming 0.5% VAT hike. Earthlife Africa Johannesburg condemns the increase and argues that the public should not be forced to pay for Eskom’s financial mismanagement, corruption and failure to modernize.
“Millions of South Africans already live under the poverty line. Another increase in tariffs is at risk as record unemployment and social subsidies have grown to the limit. It is unfair that consumers must bear the burden of Eskom’s failure while receiving unreliable services plagued by loads and reduced loads.
The increase follows a contested hearing by the National Energy Regulators of South Africa (NERSA) that was damaged by procedural flaws in 2024. Despite the ongoing calls for fairer energy pricing in civil society, many have been ignored. The multi-year pricing (MYPD) process itself has been criticized for being obscure for a long time, and it is unable to consistently prioritize Eskom’s financial recovery to the affordability and accessibility of electricity for the public.
“We live in poverty-stricken communities that cannot afford these hikes. We feel we are undermined by Eskom,” says Liso Sikosana of Youth Environmental Solidarity.
South Africans repeatedly express their frustration, protesting, bringing them on the streets and engage in public hearings. However, the government continues to approve hikes that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.
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“This increase is too much. Already, we are forced to choose between food and electricity. We are subject to load reduction. This is even worse than breaking down the load. Nelsa did nothing for us!” says Martha Mocate of the Soweto Electric Crisis Committee.
Adding shaming to the injury, Eskom warns that households installing solar power must register and pay fees, even if they don’t feed back to the grid. The move has been widely criticized as another attempt to generate revenue rather than supporting energy security for struggling South Africans.
Relentless tariff hikes continue to widen inequality and lavish electricity rather than basic rights. EarthLife Africa and its community-based partners are urging governments to urgently invest in a fair transition to renewable energy, offering more affordable and sustainable alternatives.
“It’s time for Eskom to move to low-carbon energy sources like renewables to prevent further price increases. Renewables are affordable and accessible, allowing the community to be freed from Eskom’s stranglehold.
The government must listen to its people. South Africans deserve a fair, transparent and accountable energy system.
