Heads must roll

[murdock]

better still why dont they build a power station specifically for alusaf and send them the bill and charge them 50 % higher rates then we can all carry on as things were before...and in the next 5 years worry about the lack of power again because the chimps still wont spend the money were it is needed...this way it doesnt come out of their budget for expensive cars and parties.

[Dave A]

It looks like Jacob Maroga agrees with you, Chatmaster.

"The unavoidable load shedding of January left South Africans with a sense of anger and frustration, which was completely justified," said Maroga in a statement issued after the press briefing. "It is a time for leadership and accountability.
from M&G article here

Oops! Maybe I misunderstood that. Perhaps the accountability only starts now

Anyway, more on Eskom's plan moving forward from the same article:

The power situation has eased somewhat over the past few days and there has been no load-shedding since February 4, Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga told reporters on Thursday in Sunninghill, near Johannesburg.

Maroga was announcing measures to be taken by Eskom to resolve the country's electricity crisis, following the announcement of the government's national recovery plan to tackle the emergency.

"Although the solution to this problem does not lie with Eskom alone -- in fact, Eskom cannot build new power stations fast enough to meet South Africa's demand -- it is our duty to deliver to South Africans a plan that is workable and achievable; a plan that demonstrates Eskom's commitment to providing security of supply, in partnership, with all our stakeholders; a plan that can form the basis of a national rallying cry or a movement in which each and every one of us plays a crucial role, for the sake of our nation's future."

Eskom's mandate is to re-establish its ability to provide a secure power supply. A plan to achieve this has already started and will run until 2012, when Eskom's first base-load power station will come on line.

The plan has three phases: stabilisation (until the end of February), to restore 4 000MW to the system; power rationing (March to July); and power conservation and supply-side options (August 2008 to 2012).

Oh yes - Maroga also said mines are "voluntarily" reducing power by 10% for the next three years.

I suppose we're volunteering for power rationing too, then.

[duncan drennan]

I suppose we're volunteering for power rationing too, then.

Maybe just to spin this positively....I volunteer to be a part of the rationing (along with the mines), because I believe that it is in my best interests (looking out for numero uno). As long as the economy is growing it is a heck of a lot easier to make money (or keep your job if you are employed).

Seems like a reasonable thing to put your hand up for.