Electricity is essential to everyday life. We need it to keep the lights on, cook, heat water, study, and run our homes and businesses. But for millions of people across South Africa, electricity is becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Rising electricity tariffs, unemployment and the rising cost of living are putting enormous pressure on household budgets. For millions of South African households, the rising cost of electricity is forcing painful sacrifices. Families are cutting back on food and other basic necessities just to keep the lights on.

No one should have to choose between electricity and putting food on the table. Yet every day, families across South Africa are being forced to make impossible choices about which basic needs they can afford.

That is not right. It is not fair.

Electricity is not a luxury. It is a basic need. It is essential to living with dignity, and everyone should be able to access enough affordable electricity to meet their basic needs. 

Free electricity exists, but millions are missing out

South Africa already has a policy designed to help people who cannot afford electricity: Free Basic Electricity (FBE). But many households who qualify for this support are still missing out.

Around 8 million of the estimated 10 million households eligible for Free Basic Electricity do not receive it. Millions of people are missing out because the system makes it difficult for them to get the support they qualify for. 

We need to expand Free Basic Electricity

Free Basic Electricity was introduced to help households meet their basic electricity needs. But the amount people currently receive is simply not enough. 

Households today need electricity for far more than just lighting. Electricity is needed to cook, heat water, keep food fresh, study, work and run a home. The current allocation does not reflect the realities of modern life or the electricity needs of many South African households.

That is why we are calling for Free Basic Electricity to be increased to 350 kWh per month, while making sure that everyone who qualifies can actually access it.

Expanding Free Basic Electricity is an important step towards an energy system that puts people's needs before profit.

We are calling on Government to:

1. Increase Free Basic Electricity to 350 kWh: Give households enough electricity to meet their basic needs and live with dignity.
   
   
2. Make sure everyone who qualifies can access it: Remove the barriers preventing millions of households from receiving Free Basic Electricity.
   
   
3. Make electricity affordable for everyone: No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for food or other basic necessities. 
   
   
4. Invest in publicly funded renewable energy: Use South Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources to help build a more affordable electricity system. Asinimali kodwa sinelanga!
   
   
5. Build an energy system that works for everyone: Deliver affordable electricity today while building a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
   
   

Demand electricity that is affordable, accessible and clean for all!

Add your name to the petition.