Why More South Africans Are Choosing Off-Grid Living Over Failing Municipalities

For many South Africans, the relationship with their local municipality feels like a one-sided partnership. They pay for services, but too often, those services fall apart — leaving them with no water, unreliable electricity, and a growing sense of frustration. And now, that frustration is turning into something bigger: a quiet rebellion.

People aren’t waiting around for government solutions anymore. They’re making their own. Off-grid living, once a fringe lifestyle, is becoming a mainstream decision for homeowners who are tired of promises that never materialise.

A Shifting Sentiment

According to the Absa Homeowners’ Sentiment Index (Q1 2025), confidence in municipalities is on shaky ground. A staggering 76% of respondents want to move away from municipal electricity. Nearly half are eyeing independence from public water systems. That’s not a trend — it’s a movement.

And it’s not just about the lights staying on or taps running. It’s about control. It’s about families saying: “We’ve had enough.”

What Went Wrong?

Municipalities are meant to deliver life’s non-negotiables: clean water, working roads, refuse collection, and electricity. These are essentials, not luxuries. But for many residents, what they’re promised and what they get are two very different things.

This breakdown doesn’t just hurt service delivery — it destroys trust. And trust, once lost, is incredibly difficult to rebuild.

Municipalities argue that they need payments to operate, which is true. But people are understandably reluctant to hand over money when services are unreliable or completely absent. It’s a vicious cycle: no service, no payment. No payment, no service.

The Rise of Self-Reliant Homes

South Africans are choosing to opt out of this cycle altogether. They’re investing in solar panels, drilling boreholes, installing water filtration systems, and growing their own food. According to Nondumiso Ncapai of Absa Home Loans, 57% of households are planting fruit and vegetable gardens, while 42% are using solar power. Rainwater harvesting and boreholes are also gaining traction.

It’s not just about saving money or going green. It’s about survival. It’s about freedom. And, increasingly, it’s about redefining what it means to be a homeowner in South Africa.

“We’re seeing a shift in what people want from their homes,” said Ncapai. “It’s no longer just about location and size. It’s about independence and sustainability.”

What’s Happening in the Property Market?

Despite the uncertainty, sentiment remains surprisingly resilient. While there was a slight dip in overall homeowner confidence (from 87% in Q4 2024 to 85% in Q1 2025), it still reflects the second-highest rating since the Index began ten years ago.

Interestingly, people aren’t rushing to sell. Most are waiting for better prices, while others continue renting to retain flexibility. Meanwhile, younger buyers are entering the market, with the average first-time buyer now just 38 years old.

And where are people most optimistic? Limpopo leads the pack with a 93% homeowner sentiment rating, followed closely by the Free State and Northern Cape.

Migration is also shaping the property landscape. The Western Cape continues to attract residents, though its growth is slowing. The Eastern Cape is seeing gains too, while KwaZulu-Natal is experiencing a gradual outflow.

Off-Grid Isn’t Just a Trend — It’s a Wake-Up Call

This growing shift to off-grid living is about much more than avoiding load shedding or skipping municipal bills. It’s a direct reflection of how many citizens feel about the institutions meant to serve them. When trust disappears, so does cooperation.

Yes, municipalities have challenges. But so do the families whose lives are interrupted by every power outage and dry tap. If trust isn’t restored soon, more and more South Africans will continue taking their future into their own hands — one solar panel and rainwater tank at a time.

It’s Time to Rebuild Trust

Municipalities must act — and fast. Service delivery isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about restoring faith. And residents, too, must realise that sustainable systems work best when everyone plays their part.

Off-grid living might be the current solution, but the ultimate goal should be a society where no one has to go off-grid just to get the basics.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com