<\/p>\n
Tintswalo – the new democratic order\u2019s freedom baby who has benefited from state aided healthcare, welfare and educational policies – has been slapped with Stage 6 load shedding indefinitely.<\/p>\n
During his eighth State of the Nation Address on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promised Tintswalo that his government would make greater strides in ending load shedding.<\/p>\n
This promise did not get off to a great start, with Eskom ramping up load shedding to Stage 3, just minutes after the president\u2019s address.<\/p>\n
About 24 hours later, things got worse, with the utility announcing Stage 6. <\/p>\n
In a brief statement released at about 12.30am on Saturday morning, Eskom said despite returning two generating units to service over the last 24 hours another \u201ctwo generating units were also taken offline\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis, combined with the need to replenish the pumped storage dams in preparation for the week ahead, necessitated the implementation of Stage 6 load shedding from midnight until further notice.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur teams are working diligently to return the generation units back online,\u201d said the power utility.<\/p>\n
Some sections are now accusing the power utility of ramping up load shedding to Stage 6 as a means to scupper the Economic Freedom Fighters election manifesto launch, which is expected to be delivered by party leader Julius Malema at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.<\/p>\n
Thousands are expected to attend – with potentially millions more expected to watch on TV – with expectations for a filled up stadium after the EFF filled the FNB Stadium to capacity during their 10th anniversary celebrations in July last year.<\/p>\n
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said despite the load shedding, the party would stream the manifesto on all their social media platforms.<\/p>\n
He encouraged people to register to vote via the Electoral Commission of SA\u2019s web channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cowards and thieves implement Stage 6 on the day of the EFF Manifesto Launch,\u201d he tweeted.<\/p>\n
\nThe cowards and thieves implement Stage 6 on the day of the #EFFManifestoLaunch<\/a> <\/p>\n
As always the most organised opposition has its own platforms where you can stream live.#RegisterToVoteEFF<\/a> online here https:\/\/t.co\/zZSbRjpIaL pic.twitter.com\/hykefOVfhp<\/a><\/p>\n
— Sinawo Thambo (@Sinawo_Thambo) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
During Ramaphosa’s Sona address on Thursday night, the president narrated the story of Tintswalo, a 30-year-old democracy baby, who was now an established woman with her own family, who had been supported by the ANC government since birth.<\/p>\n
Tintswalo, said Ramaphosa, had benefited from free public healthcare, free housing, free schooling, nutritious meals at school, scholar transport, child support grant and funding through the National Financial Aid Scheme to attain her degree.<\/p>\n
Tintswalo was now 30, the same age as South Africa\u2019s democratic order, and she had a job, aided by Affirmative Action and BEE policies, was able to earn a good income, moved to a better house and was able to \u201clive a better life\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, social media commentators said Tintswalo was now struggling with load shedding.<\/p>\n
Former Eskom chief executive Matshela Koko remarked: \u201cTintswalo brought us a load-shedding stage 6 until further notice\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nTintswalo brought us a load-shedding stage 6 until further notice. https:\/\/t.co\/dxm02ptF77<\/p>\n
— Engineer Mat\u0161hela Koko, MBL (@koko_matshela) February 9, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane said load shedding showed how Tintswalo was living.<\/p>\n
\nThese headlines are separated by less than 12 hours. Day of SONA204 and the day after. Today is stage 6 load shedding. This is Tintswalo living. pic.twitter.com\/F5JN1ooch3<\/a><\/p>\n
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
Tax guru Andre Bothma said: \u201cThe irony in Sona just two days ago, followed by Stage 6 load shedding which tells you the real State of the Nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn many ways, look at which stage we are in and that will tell you the real state of the nation\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nThe irony in SONA just two days ago, followed by Stage 6 Loadshedding which tells you the real State of the Nation.<\/p>\n
In many ways, look at which stage we are in and that will tell you the real state of the nation.<\/p>\n
— Andr\u00e9 Bothma (@AndreBothmaTax) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie said Tintswalo might have a generator to shield from Stage 6 load shedding.<\/p>\n
\u201cTintswalo must be having a house with a generator. She or he is unbothered with stage 6\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nTintswalo must be having a house with a generator. She or he is unbothered with stage 6\ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffe\ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffe<\/p>\n
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said Tintswalo deserves better.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis morning Tintswalo woke up to Stage 6 load shedding. That\u2019s why we need a new government with real plans to fix South Africa\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nThis morning Tintswalo woke up to Stage 6 load shedding. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s why we need a new government with real plans to fix South Africa.@Action4SA<\/a> is ready to serve. pic.twitter.com\/Eb0rcuArKB<\/a><\/p>\n
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\nWe\u2019re on stage 6 <\/p>\n
Where\u2019s Tintswalo \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d<\/p>\n
— Welile Mhayise (@welilewami) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\nDoes the president know that Tintswalo woke up to stage 6 loadshedding? <\/p>\n
\ud83e\udd2c\ud83e\udd2c\ud83e\udd2c\ud83e\udd2c<\/p>\n
— Blanco\u00ae (@DineoDMufamadi) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\nAs soon as Cyril said he\u2019s got it under control\u2026it became obvious that disaster loomed.
Stage 6 indefinitely.
Tintswalo has been hoodwinked.<\/p>\n— \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 Keith \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 (@K76167969) February 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
News<\/strong><\/p>\n