South Africans Are Replacing Government Services—Here’s How

Across South Africa, citizens and businesses are stepping in where the government has failed. Years of mismanagement, corruption, and neglect have left electricity, water, and security in crisis, forcing people to become self-sufficient.

Energy: The Rise of Private Power

South Africans pay 179% more for electricity than they did a decade ago, yet load shedding remains a daily reality.

• Eskom customers using 800 kWh per month paid R1,055 in 2014—now, they pay R2,948.
• Further tariff hikes are already approved, meaning prices will continue rising.
• In response, citizens have turned to solar power at an unprecedented rate.

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) reports that 961 MW of private-sector solar capacity was added recently, bringing the total to nearly 9 GW.

At the peak of load shedding in 2023, private solar installations surged by 349%—a clear sign that South Africans no longer trust Eskom to provide power.

Water: An Unfolding Crisis

Water supply issues are reaching the same crisis level as electricity:

• In Johannesburg, 40% of water is lost due to leaking pipes and theft.
• Many areas suffer days-long water outages due to failing infrastructure.
• In just five months, Johannesburg residents received 400+ alerts about low reservoirs and water throttling.

Private water solutions are booming:

• JoJo Tanks and boreholes are in high demand.
• A 1,000-litre tank system costs R14,880, while larger 10,000-litre systems cost R31,250+.

Those who can afford private water supply are securing access—while the rest rely on an increasingly unreliable municipal system.

Security: Private Forces Outnumber Police

With crime rates soaring, South Africans are no longer relying on SAPS for protection.

Police numbers are shrinking:

• 2014: 152,977 officers for 54 million people
• 2023: 145,256 officers for 62 million people
• The police-to-population ratio has worsened from 1:353 to 1:427, far exceeding the UN’s recommended 1:220.

Private security is stepping in:

• The private security sector has grown 400% since 1997.
• There are now 15,000+ registered security companies, employing more people than the police and military combined.
• Wealthier households invest in armed response and electric fences, while poorer communities remain vulnerable.

Case Study: Ditsobotla Municipality—A Government in Name Only

Ditsobotla, North West, has collapsed entirely due to political instability and corruption.

• Electricity and water outages are the norm.
• Sanitation systems are in ruins.
• The government is absent, so residents have taken over.

The Ditsobotla Services Association (DSA), a non-profit, was created by local businesses and farmers to:

• Repair infrastructure
• Donate cables, pumps, and motors
• Provide borehole water to communities

Residents are literally rebuilding their town—because the government won’t.

What’s Next for South Africa?

The trend is clear: South Africans are replacing the state.

While private solutions offer short-term relief, they deepen inequality—only those who can afford alternative services benefit.

Ultimately, essential services should not rely on private wealth. Yet, until the government reforms, citizens will continue to step in—because they have no other choice.

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