MANY of us by now know what it is like to have dinner by candlelight and there was nothing remotely romantic about the occasion.
Cross-Border Chronicles Sukoluhle Nyathi
If anything you were probably tight lipped because going to Pizza Inn was not an option.
And if you are anything like me. The dim glow of the flickering light probably masked a tear stained face and red eyes from fanning a smoky fire. Off course in the more affluent neighbourhoods the noisy droning of generators fills the air long after the lights have gone.
Blessed are those with a 12,5 Kilowatts Ellies generator that can power up stoves and fridges. And more blessed are those with the diesel to run them.
And if you belong to this privileged group you as you say grace you sneak in a prayer for those weaved sisters not to catch light as they cooked supper over an open fire and thank God for your gas stove.
Such is the picture of most urban households nowadays where electricity is a luxury and its absence is an unnecessary inconvenience. I won’t even begin to articulate the broad economic impact of loss of power on an economy.
Almost a decade ago, On May 2 2003 I wrote an article about how it was tragic that Zimbabwe was now being forced to resort to loading shedding and power outages when we had proven capacity to harness sufficient power locally and also export to our neighbours.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Sadly in 2013 the narrative has not changed and Zimbabwe continues to be plunged in darkness characterised by blackouts or protracted periods of load shedding.
However, what is comforting is that since I wrote that article the power sector has been liberalised and that some Independent Power Producers are now starting to play a role in the power generation sector.
It’s expected that the seeds of this investment can be reaped as early as 2016. Power supply or lack of it has become a contentious issue. Not just in Zimbabwe but most of Africa giving us the right to be called the Dark Continent. Strange don’t you think for a continent which is well endowed with hydrological resources, abundant coal deposits and plentiful sunshine yet we fail to power up.
Senegal is one country which has been dogged with rabid electricity protests due to consistent power shortages.
In Nigeria only 40 million out of the population of 160 million has access to power. Nigeria has recently tabled plans to private the power sector and has a rather ambitious plan to generate 10 000 megawatts by 2014.
I say ambitious because by nature power projects have long gestation periods. This is why there is a need for systematic planning when it comes to power projects. It is true that most Governments inherited power utilities from colonial governments and since then nothing has been done to invest in expanding power capacity.
An oversight considering the rate at which Africa has become urbanised and industrialised. Notwithstanding some countries like South Africa have even embarked on ambitious rural electrification programmes.
At face value this is great in that it has increased electricity supply to many households, but on the downside it has been detrimental in that some of those rural households are indigent and can’t afford to pay for the service.
As much as every household has a right to access power. The service is not cheap. Investment in power plants can run into billions and the expenditure has to be recouped through competitive tariffs and pricing.
Eskom loses an estimated R2billion annually due to non technical losses which relate to theft through illegal connections, meter tampering and non payment of accounts. However I think for the most part, most households and corporate are willing to pay for electricity if it is provided. The lack of power disrupts the operational efficiency of businesses, households and industry alike.
Any narrative of economic development needs to be accompanied by investment in the power sector as it is critical to all sectors of the economy.
However, until this happens I leave you with a playlist to see you through those power outages:
First (power) cut is the deepest – Rod Stewart When the lights go out – Five How long? – Dianne Reeves Turn off the light – Nelly Furtado Kunze kwadoka – Oliver Mtukudzi Candle in the wind – Elton John Eternal Flame – The Bangles Whisper in the dark – Dionne Warwick Gimme the light – Sean Paul Turn of the lights – Teddy Pendergrass
