South Africa Declares 'State of Disaster' Over Energy Crisis
The Facts
South African Pres. Ramaphosa on Thursday announced a national "state of disaster“ over the country’s severe energy crisis in his annual State of the Nation address to parliament.
Noting that the power outages, which have struck Africa's most industrialized economy on a daily basis since 2023, pose an "existential threat" to the country's economy and social cohesion, Ramaphosa said the emergency measure will take immediate effect.
The Spin
Narrative A
The dire energy crisis is homegrown, but part of the problem is that South Africa has a growing demand for energy while leading the industrialized world in coal consumption. That's why the government is boldly embracing a plan to switch to renewable energy without sacrificing economic growth. If the transition succeeds — and South Africa receives billions in support — it could boost the economy and make the country a model for coal-dependent countries.
Narrative B
It is unlikely that declaring a state of disaster will change the country's dire energy crisis anytime soon. The measure will not turn an incompetent government into a competent one and will instead lead to less accountability but more corruption. The extreme measure is primarily an expression of desperation, as evidenced by the government's intention to appoint a Minister of Electricity to deal with the crisis. South Africa faces a bleak and shaky future.
