Dundee’s prized tourism asset, the Talana Museum and adjacent Kwakunje traditional tourist village, were plunged into darkness on Monday afternoon, August 31, after Eskom disconnected the power supply over the municipality’s failure to pay its electricity account.

While the Talana Museum complex receives its main electricity supply directly from Eskom, the museum and tenants at Miner’s Rest restaurant and Kwakunje village purchase prepaid electricity through Endumeni Municipality to keep their facilities operating.

However, with the municipality reportedly owing Eskom more than half a billion rand, the power was switched off, leaving Kwakunje in darkness despite having a full house of tourists. The museum and restaurant were also affected.

Security concerns grow

Pam McFadden, treasurer of the Talana Board of Trustees, said she was particularly concerned about security at the museum once darkness fell.

“This is so worrying. We are just starting to see the first blossoms of overseas and local tourists filtering through to our battlefields areas after many barren years since Covid, and now this,” she told the Courier.

Without electricity, the museum would be left without its security lights after sunset, raising concerns about the safety of the facility and its valuable historical collection.

Officials scramble to restore power

By Monday evening, officials were scrambling to persuade Eskom to restore the electricity.

Cllr Salem Abdool, an executive committee member, said he was alerted to the crisis by the Courier and immediately contacted the municipality’s electrical department and Eskom’s regional office in Newcastle.

“I have been in touch with municipal manager Musa Hadebe. It is sad that it has come to this and this is really bad for our town.

“Our hopes are high that we can come to a temporary agreement to restore power by Tuesday, September 1,” he said.

Refuse crisis adds to town’s woes

The electricity crisis comes as Dundee continues to battle a separate refuse collection crisis, with bags of domestic rubbish piling up on pavements across the town.

Many of the bags have been ripped open by roaming dogs and homeless people, leaving residents complaining about the smell and deteriorating conditions.

The municipality’s five refuse trucks had all been out of operation, with three reportedly broken down and two pulled off the road after their licence discs were found to have expired.

Abdool confirmed that the licences on two of the trucks had since been renewed and said refuse collection would begin.

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