News

Load Shedding Costs Nelson Mandela Bay Businesses Billions Jobs at Risk

Published

11 months ago

June 24, 2023

Businesses in Nelson Mandela Bay are grappling with significant financial losses, amounting to R1 billion per month, as a result of ongoing load shedding in the region.

According to a survey conducted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, these losses have prompted larger businesses to consider workforce reductions of up to 20% if the high-stage load shedding persists as reported by All Africa.

In addition to scheduled power outages, the metro has experienced 34 major power failures caused by substation tripping, potentially linked to the strain placed on electrical infrastructure due to load shedding.

Also Read: Fearful Journey: Siya Kolisi Bok Captain on World Cup Race

Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, cited vandalism, theft, inadequate maintenance, and infrastructure damage as contributing factors.

Other challenges identified by industry experts include local government instability, insufficient municipal services, and the potential for sanctions against South Africa in relation to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Also Read: