After enduring a rollercoaster of loadshedding stage changes throughout the holy month of Ramadan, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Masjidul Quds are appealing to Eskom and President Cyril Ramaphosa to temporarily suspend loadshedding as Ramadan comes to a close.
Also read: ‘Not even water?!’ – Everything you need to know about Ramadan
As it stands, the country currently switches between stages 5 from 5am to 4pm and stage 6 from 4pm to 5am the following day. City of Cape Town customers are shielded slightly with stage 4 from 5am to 8pm with stage 6 thereafter until 5am the following day.
These extended periods of rolling blackouts – up to ten hours a day with stage 6 – and sudden changes in stages oftentimes result in many muslim families having to struggle or make alternative arrangements for their pre-dawn and iftaar (evening) meals.
The MJC expressed that loadshedding had led to a sense of dejection among the muslim community
In an open letter to the president and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the MJC requested whether the electricity could remain on when Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr this weekend.
The MJC expressed that Eid-ul-Fitr ‘is a period of profound spirituality, joy and a time to be with family and friends. Families will congregate, cook family meals and share in the essence of joy and togetherness’.
‘The effects of power outages during this period will further the ends of dejection especially when people are unable to experience the full extent of their religious holidays.
‘In recent days, and rightfully so, loadshedding was suspended to accommodate South Africans celebrating their respective holy days. This in particular the relaxation of the loadshedding schedule during Christmas and Easter periods.
‘The Muslim community of South Africa expects to spend this time of Eid unbridled by the implications so imposed by the impediment of loadshedding,’ added the letter.
Take a look:
In response to the open letter, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated it was ‘inappropriate to address such a request’ to the president, according to News24.
‘The president does not regulate, nor is he operationally responsible for the management of loadshedding schedules,’ said Magwenya.
IOL reported that Eskom’s Daphne Mokwena responded saying ‘we can only give the forecast for the weekend tomorrow and in as far as the hours of loadshedding, that depends on the schedule and the stage called at the time’.
‘Members of the public can always check their schedules to derive the hours. Also to note that in these metros, both Eskom and the municipalities are supplying electricity and municipalities have their own schedules.’
Also read:
Picture: Getty Images