Read more
Eskom halt load shedding in Ulundi and Nkonjeni for Buthelezi’s funeral
The load shedding exemption has been granted until Saturday when Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi will be laid to rest.
Load shedding will be suspended in Ulundi for the funeral of Inkatha Freedom Party founder and traditional prime minister to the Zulu royal family Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Saturday. Photo: Rajesh Jantilal/ AFP
Embattled power utility Eskom has granted the Ulundi Local Municipality a brief reprieve from this week’s bout of escalated load shedding to accommodate the funeral service of the late Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder and Zulu traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi in the KwaZulu-Natal town on Saturday.
Ulundi municipal manager Sandile Khomo explained to IOL that the embattled power utility’s temporary suspension of load shedding resulted from a written request by the municipality.
ALSO READ: Ramokgopa explains why stage 6 load shedding is back and likely to get worse
Buthelezi funeral: Load shedding exemption request granted
“I can confirm that we asked Eskom to suspend load shedding since we have the big task of burying the Inkosi (Chief), the Prince of KwaPhindangene.
“They then granted us our request and they will exempt the areas around (Ulundi) town so that there are no disturbances and in Nkonjeni so that everything back home KwaPhindangene goes smoothly,” Khomo said.
ALSO READ: OBITUARY: The life and times of Zulu Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
- The Ulundi exemption already came into effect on Thursday and will run until Saturday, 16 September.
- In Nkonjeni, the exemption started on Friday and will run until Saturday.
Eskom could however pull the plug on its promise. The power utility said should the grid be under pressure, they would suspend the exemption for Ulundi and Nkonjeni.
ALSO READ: Eskom downgrades load shedding to Stage 5 until further notice
President Ramaphosa to deliver eulogy
Buthelezi’s special official (category 1) funeral will be held at the Mangosuthu Buthelezi Regional Sports Complex in his hometown of Ulundi.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eulogy of the IFP founder and traditional prime minister to the Zulu royal family who passed away on Saturday 9 September at the age of 95.
Buthelezi is survived by his daughter, Princess Phumzile Buthelezi, and his son, Zuzifa Buthelezi.
ALSO READ: ‘Buthelezi tried to restore lasting peace’ – Zuma
King Goodwill Zwelithini memorial service cost Eskom R8.5m
In March 2021, Eskom spent R8.5 million to suspend load shedding so mourners could follow the memorial service of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace.
“To successfully suspend load-shedding for the duration, Eskom dispatched four additional open cycle gas turbines (OCGT) from 9:42am until 2:10pm.
“These OCGTs supplied 2 404 MWh (approximately R8.5m) during this period with a maximum output reaching 610MW,” Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan explained in a written reply to parliament at the time.
NOW READ: King Misuzulu will not be attending Buthelezi’s funeral: Here’s why
