--- title: Communities Gather at TotalEnergies AGM to Demand Affordable Electricity, Climate Justice and an End to Fossil Fuel Profiteering date: 2026-05-29T16:20:48Z modified: 2026-06-01T11:23:27Z permalink: "https://350.org/press-release/communities-gather-at-totalenergies-agm-to-demand-affordable-electricity-climate-justice-and-an-end-to-fossil-fuel-profiteering/" type: press-release status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 175530338 author: tumi --- **_Johannesburg, South Africa_—**Hundreds of community members, activists, unionists, and climate justice organisations gathered outside TotalEnergies’ Johannesburg headquarters today as part of the global Kick Polluters Out Week of Action, calling for an end to fossil fuel expansion and urgent action to address South Africa’s growing energy affordability crisis. The Kick Polluters Out Community Assembly & Political School brought together representatives from organisations and communities across Gauteng to discuss the links between rising electricity costs, energy poverty, the cost-of-living crisis, and continued fossil fuel expansion. The assembly took place as millions of South Africans struggle to afford electricity, food, transport, and other essentials. [Since 2007, electricity tariffs have increased by more than 1,172%](https://poweroptimal.com/2026-update-eskom-tariff-increases-vs-inflation-since-1988-with-projections-to-2028/?utm), while more and more households are becoming dependent on the Free Basic Electricity grant just to get by. Yet communities argue that the current allocation of 50kWh is nowhere near enough to meet basic daily needs such as cooking, refrigeration, studying, and heating water. Participants argued that rising electricity costs cannot be separated from a fossil fuel-dependent energy system that continues to prioritise corporate profits over people’s needs. While households struggle to survive, billions of rand continue flowing to fossil fuel companies through subsidies, tax breaks, and public financing. “_Electricity cuts are not just an inconvenience, they put our lives, homes and livelihoods at risk. Load shedding disrupts daily life, creates safety hazards and leaves communities carrying the cost of failures they did not cause. We cannot continue living under a system that is failing ordinary people,_” **said Ester Basetsana, Passover Community Building Association.** **Abraham Mosemeni, Palm Ridge, Ekurhuleni, Community Member said:** _“Communities are tired of struggling with expensive and unreliable electricity. Many people cannot afford the rising costs, yet electricity is essential for daily life. We are here to send a clear message to the government: listen to communities and act on the energy crisis that ordinary people face every day._” Participants highlighted that access to adequate electricity is not simply an economic issue but a matter of dignity, health, and quality of life. **Speaking at the assembly, Ferron Pedro, Senior Campaigner at 350.org, said:** “_Electricity is not a luxury. It is something every person needs to cook, preserve food, study, stay safe, and live with dignity. But across South Africa, families are being forced to choose between buying food, paying transport costs, or keeping the lights on. We organised this assembly outside TotalEnergies because communities are paying the price for an energy system that serves corporate profits instead of people’s needs. As fossil fuel companies continue to profit, millions remain trapped in energy poverty. Today, communities have come together to demand affordable electricity, energy justice, and a system that puts people before polluters._” The assembly formed part of coordinated actions taking place across Africa and around the world during the Annual General Meetings of major fossil fuel corporations, including TotalEnergies and Glencore. Communities from Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa continue to challenge fossil fuel projects that they say deepen inequality, displacement, pollution, and climate impacts. Participants called on the government to redirect public money currently supporting fossil fuels through subsidies, tax breaks, and incentives toward publicly owned renewable energy and an expanded 350kWh Free Basic Electricity grant. **The assembly reaffirmed four key demands:** - Stop fossil fuel expansion and projects such as EACOP and Mozambique LNG - Expand Free Basic Electricity from 50kWh to 350kWh through public renewable energy - End fossil fuel subsidies and redirect public funds toward clean, affordable energy - Ensure affordable electricity and energy dignity for all **Zaki Mamdoo, Senior Campaign Coordinator, StopEACOP, said:** “_Today we have turned the streets outside TotalEnergies’ head office, on the day of its AGM in France, into a site of struggle and a school of struggle. Through this People’s Assembly and political school, we are building the basis on which we can deepen the campaign for energy democracy: democratic planning of the energy economy, and socialised, public ownership of clean energy systems under the control of workers and communities. As part of a Global Week of Action with more than 60 actions across 19 countries, we are escalating the fight against TotalEnergies’ bloody role in projects like Mozambique LNG and EACOP, and against a system of fossil imperialism that sacrifices workers, communities and the natural world for private profit._” **ENDS\*\*\*** --- **For further enquiries, contact:** **Boitumelo Masipa** Digital & Communications Specialist, [350.org](http://350.org) +27 81 452 9096 tumi@350.org