Comments on: Helen Zille responds to an open letter on the energy crisis

By: garethmorgan

garethmorgan — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:34:36 +0000

I listened with interest yesterday as President Mbeki outlined his response to the electricity crisis during his annual State of the Nation Address. Much of what he said has already been articulated by the Ministers of Public Enterprises, and Minerals and Energy, however, three things were noteworthy: He acknowledged the need for private producers to enter the market, reaffirmed the inevitability of higher electricity tariffs, and expressed a desire for supply from co-generation projects. Unfortunately, he made no comments on removing Eskom as the sole purchaser of electricity.

On what he did not say…The words, “Minister Erwin, you are fired!” were regrettably not in the President’s speech

By: Helen Zille responds to my open letter | Wired Gecko

Helen Zille responds to my open letter | Wired Gecko — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:43:44 +0000

[...] Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance (dominant opposition party in South African politics) has responded to my open letter to her which I published on this blog. Many thanks to Helen for taking the time [...]

By: Henre

Henre — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:24:35 +0000

I admire the response from Helen tremendously. It also seems that the DA is in an action oriented frame of mind which is a positive sign.

In terms of ending the Eskom monopoly on electricity to the country I am willing to publicly venture the guess that Eskom will continue to be sole supplier and that the DA’s proposal will be dismissed by government.

There is too much of an alliance (excuse the pun) between the government, ANC and Eskom for this to bear any fruit.

I know very little of politics, but I’m sure we South Africans have seen enough to be realistic in terms of the issue at hand.

I thank Paul Jacobson for his fantastic contribution to the issue.

As long as there is light, there is hope.