South African President Ramaphosa promises end to power cuts, thousands of jobs

President Cyril Ramaphosa assured the public that relief from persistent power cuts is on the horizon, coupled with a commitment to generate thousands of new jobs. With the African National Congress (ANC) facing a challenging electoral landscape, Ramaphosa emphasized measures taken to tackle the prolonged energy crisis that has impacted both businesses and households.

“We are confident that the worst is behind us, and the end of load shedding is finally within reach,” Ramaphosa declared during his speech at Cape Town City Hall, addressing lawmakers.

He went on to unveil ambitious plans, including the implementation of over 14,000 kilometers of new transmission lines to facilitate the expansion of renewable energy in the coming years.

Highlighting South Africa’s abundant solar, wind, and mineral resources, the President pledged the creation of jobs in renewable energy, green hydrogen, green steel, electric vehicles, and other eco-friendly sectors. This announcement comes as the ANC faces a challenging electoral environment, with polls indicating a risk of losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in decades.

Despite facing criticism and challenges in the polls, Ramaphosa defended his government’s record, citing progress in economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. He acknowledged ongoing reforms but stressed the need for continued efforts to see these reforms through to completion.

However, the head of the leading opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), John Steenhuisen, dismissed Ramaphosa’s optimism, asserting that the President is “living in a wonderland” and that the country has regressed across every metric under his leadership.

The address, the third at City Hall following the 2022 parliament arson incident, precedes what is anticipated to be the most fiercely contested vote in three decades. With polls suggesting a potential drop to 40 percent of the popular vote for the ANC, coalition government discussions loom if the ruling party seeks to retain power.

In a subtle jab at his predecessor Jacob Zuma, Ramaphosa condemned the era of massive corruption that marked Zuma’s rule, stating that “billions of rands meant for ordinary South Africans were stolen.” He also highlighted the ANC’s role as the liberation movement that ushered in democracy, pointing to social assistance and economic empowerment programs as accomplishments.

As Ramaphosa gears up to announce the election date in the coming weeks, the nation braces for a critical vote to be held between May and August. Polls suggest that the DA, a liberal party, may secure between 19 and 31 percent of votes, intensifying the competition for second place with the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters.