Blackouts have ‘devastating’ impact on students - SAUS
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has raised its concerns over the impact of load shedding on students.
Spokesperson Asive Dlanjwa says rolling blackouts have been devastating for the student community.
Dlanjwa says the marginalised bear the brunt of the six to eight hours of load shedding a day.
“Firstly, the duration of the blackouts is often more intensified for rural and township communities where the majority of our people live. Irrespective of the stage, electricity can be gone for 6-8 hours a day. This therefore has left them vulnerable and exposed to the harshest conditions of the cold winter and other unexplainable desolations.
“For students relying on a stable internet connection in order to participate in the academic demands, this has been utterly compromised by these blackouts.”
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It’s been close to a month since the latest bout of rolling blackouts were first implemented by power utility Eskom.
Dlanjwa has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to hold Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter to account for the power cuts.
“We must call on the President of the country, H.E President Ramaphosa to, with sheer expedition, apprehend and discard the Izinyoka in the character of the insidiously treacherous Pravin Gordhan and the useless Andre de Ruyter who have not only proven to be grossly incompetent but pose a direct threat to the social and economic stability of the nation.”
