South Africa: Communities call on Local Leaders to Pledge Support for Free Basic Electricity

Communities call on Local Leaders to Pledge Support for Free Basic Electricity

The Electricity for All Campaign is calling on local election candidates to sign a pledge committing to deliver 350 kWh of Free Basic Electricity and ensure that more households can access and afford the electricity they need.

With local government elections taking place on 4 November, the Electricity for All Campaign, supported by a nationwide coalition of civil society organisations, trade unions and grassroots movements, is seeking commitments from ward councillor candidates to support the expansion of Free Basic Electricity and measures to make electricity more affordable for households.

Local government has a constitutional responsibility under Section 152 of the South African Constitution to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. Yet, for millions of working-class households, access to electricity remains unaffordable, unreliable and increasingly out of reach.

Although the national government introduced Free Basic Electricity (FBE) in 2003 as a social safety net, the allocation has remained at just 50 kWh per household per month since 2006. This amount is no longer sufficient to meet basic household energy needs, particularly as electricity costs continue to rise. At the same time, complicated indigent registration processes, proof-of-residence requirements and municipal administrative barriers continue to exclude many eligible households from accessing the support they are entitled to.

Money allocated by National Treasury to help poor households access Free Basic Electricity is not always reaching the people it is intended for. In 2025, municipalities redirected an estimated R14.6 billion in funding meant to support indigent households’ energy needs to cover other operating expenses. This is reflected in the low number of households receiving the benefit: of the estimated 10 million households that qualify for Free Basic Electricity, around 8 million are still missing out.

Four commitments to deliver electricity for all

The Councillor Candidate Commitment and Accountability Pledge calls on candidates, whether representing political parties or running as independents, to commit to four key actions:

1. Increase Free Basic Electricity to 350 kWh per household per month.

Candidates are called on to support local government policies and decisions that increase the current 50 kWh allocation to 350 kWh per household per month. Research by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), particularly its Hungry for Electricity report, identifies 350 kWh as the minimum level of electricity needed for households to realise meaningful developmental benefits. This goes beyond basic lighting to enable families to cook daily, heat water, store food, support children’s education and run small home-based businesses.

2. Expand access to Free Basic Electricity and end administrative exclusion.

Candidates must commit to removing unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that prevent eligible households from accessing FBE, including restrictive proof-of-residence requirements and complex registration processes that exclude residents in informal settlements, backyard dwellings and rental accommodation. They must also support ensuring that 100% of National Treasury Local Government Equitable Share funding allocated for indigent energy support is used for its intended purpose.

3. Invest in publicly financed, decentralised renewable energy with social ownership.

Candidates are called on to support public investment in decentralised renewable energy, including rooftop solar, microgrids and local electricity grid upgrades. These investments can expand access to affordable electricity, strengthen community resilience to climate impacts, reduce harmful air pollution and create much-needed local employment opportunities, while ensuring that communities benefit from publicly owned energy infrastructure.

4. Build an energy system that delivers affordable electricity for everyone.

Candidates must commit to supporting an energy system that guarantees affordable and reliable electricity for all households. This includes ending load reduction in townships, preventing electricity disconnections for low-income households and ensuring that municipal electricity tariffs do not put essential electricity beyond people's reach.

Promises made during election campaigns do not always translate into action once politicians take office. For communities struggling with high electricity costs, disconnections and load reduction, the challenge is ensuring that their concerns remain on the agenda beyond election day.

The Councillor Candidate Commitment and Accountability Pledge gives communities a way to hold their elected representatives to the commitments they make before elections. The Electricity for All Campaign will work with community organisations, trade unions and ward committees to monitor progress on the four commitments throughout councillors’ terms in office.

The Councillor Candidate Commitment and Accountability Pledge can be downloaded here.

For further information on the Electricity for All Campaign, its demands and the case for expanding Free Basic Electricity, consult the campaign media dossier here.

Quotes:

Aaron Mahlangu, Ward candidate – Labour Party, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, said:

“We need to educate people and they must know their rights and benefits when it comes to indigent for those who cannot afford electricity and rates. [...] If we can get at least 350 kWh as subsidy grant for electricity, that will make a real difference. But the big question is: how are NERSA, Eskom and municipalities going to work together to make this happen?”

Ferron Pedro, Senior Campaigner – 350.org South Africa, said:

“Energy poverty is now a shared national crisis. People are not struggling because they waste energy; they are struggling because our energy system is designed around corporate profit instead of human dignity. This isn’t inevitable. We can change this system by shifting public money away from polluting fossil fuels and, instead of subsidising renewable energy profits for corporations, expanding Free Basic Electricity to a universal 350 kWh baseline from publicly financed renewables. We must reclaim democratic control over our energy future. Virtually everything depends on it.”

Thandiwe Tess Tshaka – Botshabelo Unemployed Movement said:

“As community activists, we believe that elections must be about more than promises and political campaigns. They must be about accountability, dignity, and improving the everyday lives of ordinary people. [...] We want ward candidates to sign this pledge because leadership comes with responsibility. Candidates must demonstrate that they are willing to listen to communities, put people's needs first and remain accountable beyond election time. [...] Our votes must translate into accountability, not empty promises. Communities deserve leaders who serve the people, not themselves.”

ENDS***

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Boitumelo Masipa

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350Africa.org
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