Earlier this week, South Africa’s new electricity minister; Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; met with the Chinese ambassador to discuss a possible collaboration to help end load shedding in the country.

He says he is reaching out to other nations to learn how they overcame their respective energy crises, and will also be speaking with the Vietnamese ambassador in time.

“We are speaking to the Germans, Americans, World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and of course we met with the Chinese ambassador, and it’s essentially to know, of all of these countries, where is the area expertise, and where can we get the quickest assistance,” Ramokgopa said. “I have already had that conversation with my peers, and there is an appreciation that there must be a singular laser focus on the resolution of this problem.”

This collaboration would include the sourcing of technical expertise, training young people to work with solar power installation, as well as introducing micro-grids and sourcing emergency power.

Ramakgopa has stated that all three ministers – Enoch Godongwana, Pravin Gordhan, and Gwede Mantashe – have agreed that load shedding is in urgent need of a solution and have offered their support.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk