South Africa has for years been plagued by blackouts and widespread blackouts due to corruption, lack of infrastructure and aging power plants, and recently the problems have increased further.
– We are therefore declaring a national state of emergency to respond to the electricity crisis and its effects, Ramaphosa said on Thursday in his annual address to the nation.
By declaring a national state of emergency – which comes into force with immediate effect – resources can be released quickly to initiate various energy initiatives.
“Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary efforts,” said Ramapahosa, whose speech was delayed by protests by members of the left-wing populist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The EFF has for several years been in the habit of interrupting and protesting during the South African president’s annual address to the nation.