#Letter: Keep perspective about loadshedding challenges

Sheffield Beach resident George Dunn writes:

In response to Ismail Asmal’s letter (‘An absolute disgrace’, November 12).

There are so many conspiracy theories relating to the problems with Eskom’s management, but calls to remove them would not address the root of the problem.

What is now apparent is that maintenance has not been done.

The current management team is trying valiantly to repair the damage caused by their predecessors.

It is not an overnight process, a “quick fix” is not feasible, and it is time the public get behind the present team and support them while they do the job they were hired for – frustrating as loadshedding may be.

In 2007, the Mbeki government gave the green light to build 4 new power stations at a combined cost of R150-billion, to be completed in 5 years.

Then Zuma and his band of thieves arrived on the scene, lead by the Gupta family.

The result is that 15 years later we only have 2 new power stations at a combined cost of R470-billion, with only Medupi (R250-billion) producing limited power while Kusile will not be completed until 2025 (estimated).

Had these projects been constructed by qualified engineers and honest engineering companies and not friends of the Gupta family, we would have had enough power and money in the bank.

The magnitude of the corruption, lack of expertise and accountability, and poor management all contributed to the mess we’re in.

No matter which management team is in charge, they are faced with old and inefficient power stations not correctly maintained for more than 20 years and which are subject to breakdown at any time.

This, coupled with a debt of R500-billion.

The present team does not shy away from the challenges and has implemented planned maintenance programmes in line with forewarned loadshedding.

There are many added problems on a daily basis such as dealing with cadre appointees and BEE policies.

Based on the above I cannot imagine why anyone would consider taking on this job.

We can only hope that privatised renewable energy resources will eventually solve the problem.

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