This is according to the Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, in a media briefing on Thursday afternoon about Ramaphosa's programme update. 

On Wednesday, Eskom announced stage 6 load-shedding until further notice after breakdowns at its power stations. 

News24 reports that Magwenya said: "The president acknowledges the frustration of households, parents, and learners who have commenced the school calendar year facing power shortages. The devastation to small businesses and the adverse impact on the economy remain severe for South Africa's recovering economy."

'Finding a sustainable solution'

He said Ramaphosa is occupied with "finding a sustainable solution" to load shedding.

Magwenya said last month that Ramaphosa had convened a national energy crisis committee with ministers and various technical workstream leads and that further engagements to review the situation and find "urgent measures" to address load shedding are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. 

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He added: "While the President acknowledged some of the progress made in executing elements of the National Energy Plan, he further demanded more urgency and speed in the implementation of all priority areas and actions laid out in the National Energy Plan."

Magwenya said despite the ongoing load-shedding the National Energy Crisis Committee had made progress in several areas.

Independent team to diagnose challenges

These included, he said, an independent team that has been put together to diagnose challenges at power stations. The team, which includes former power station managers, is working with Eskom management and the board of Eskom.

According to Magwenya, the team has looked at power stations such as Kusile, Tutuka, and Kriel. 

In his ANC January 8 speech in Mangaung last weekend, Ramaphosa said load shedding was harming the party's public standing and would form part of the governing party's priorities in 2023. He said ending load-shedding was one of seven priorities of the party.

He said the government and Eskom needed to ensure the return of additional units at the power utility to clamp down on power cuts. At the same time, the government also needed to implement its plans for sourcing other forms of energy besides coal.

OFM News