South Africa’s relationships with our sister African countries have allowed us to electrify more than 6-million households since 1994, such as these homes in the township of Vosloorus. (Image: Lebogang Lekwae)
The Minister of Energy Tina Joemat-Pettersson and her deputy, Thembisile Majola, join President Jacob Zuma in strongly condemning the current attacks on non-South Africans in parts of our country.
• Download the Department of Energy media statement in PDF
The Department of Energy reminds all South Africans that it is imperative that we stand together to build and develop our continent. To achieve this, the department is already working with a number of countries on the continent to improve energy capacity for all Africans.
Among these potentially transformative and life-changing projects is the Great Inga Hydropower Scheme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which, when complete, will produce power for Southern Africa Development Community countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, Namibia and Angola over the long term.
Sasol, a major South African energy company, currently accesses gas from fields in neighbouring countries, providing energy for South African industries and households, and sustaining thousands of South African jobs.
Most of the crude oil used in South Africa is imported from other African countries, such as Nigeria and Angola.
More than this, South Africa also has long-standing reciprocal energy-production relationships with our neighbouring countries, from whom we procure both electricity and the water needed to run our power stations.
South Africa’s relationships with our sister African countries have allowed us to electrify more than 6-million households since 1994. Today, the government has a programme of action to reduce the backlog of connections and remains committed to connecting all households to an electricity supply.
“Our common African history and bonds of fraternity and unity is what gave impetus to the liberation struggles of South Africans,” said Joemat-Pettersson. “We treasure this history, and call on all South Africans to embrace our brothers and sisters and, to condemn attacks on foreign nationals in all its manifestations.”
Issued by the Ministry of Energy
For more information, please contact:
Mediadesk@energy.gov.za
Tel: 012 406 7481
