Readers’Views

Fifteen years of load-shedding to pay for corruption, ineptitude

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that load-shedding can’t be ended overnight refers. Let’s be realistic: we’re doing worse than Ukraine at keeping the lights on. Literally.

They have much less money to spend on electricity generation (they have a smaller GDP per capita than South Africa) and their vital electricity infrastructure is getting bombed by Russia every day. But they’re still keeping the lights on.

And no, Cyril, we’re not asking for overnight solutions, but maybe 15 years ought to be enough? — Mani None, on BusinessLIVE

In some states in the US where electricity is generated by gas from fracking, the price of electricity has dropped considerably. In South Africa, fracking has been stopped by a tiny minority of ill-informed greenies.

South Africans are now paying the price for allowing this minority to dictate the needs of the majority.

It is unbelievably stupid not to use this natural resource. — dhoines, on BusinessLIVE

We do need to pay for electricity, but the exorbitant increases of the past 15 years are not really for electricity. They are a tax on corruption, ineptitude and political meddling.

Sort those out and they will magically see their “input” costs drop dramatically. — Michelle van der Westhuizen, on BusinessLIVE

No efficient economy under ANC

Sam Mkokeli’s column “Eskom calls for killer instinct, not paper tigers” (January 22) refers.

If we were to judge our cabinet members on merit, we would have an empty room. But we need to face a simple fact. Those capable of leading this country in the right direction understand that a modern, efficient economy cannot operate within the constraints of ANC policies. The Freedom Charter and a modern economy are irreconcilable.

Those who can make a difference will not take instructions from incompetents. — Lloyd Macklin, on BusinessLIVE

Should smokers pay carbon tax? The danger with illicit cigarettes is that the consumer is not guaranteed of the contents: small quantities of an illegal and addictive drug may be infused with the tobacco and the consumer might not be aware — “Revenue up in smoke as illicit trade thrives” (Newsmaker, January 22).

What is the contribution of the [total consumption of] 32-billion sticks to climate change? Should carbon tax be imposed on consumers for every stick? Phuthela Myeni, on BusinessLIVE