Ramaphosa promises businesses 'short-term' end to load-shedding

President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised the business sector that government is working to end load-shedding in the short term. 

He was speaking at the fifth South Africa Investment Conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Thursday. 

“The lack of reliability in electricity supply weakens business and consumer confidence, taints international perceptions about our country and affects investment sentiment and decisions," the president said.

The government had solutions to address the crisis through its energy action plan, introduced last July, he added.

“As we work to close the electricity supply shortfall and end load-shedding in the short term, we are laying the foundation for a fundamental reform of the energy sector in the longer term.  

“Our immediate focus is on improving the performance of our existing coal-fired power stations as they continue to provide the baseload of our energy,” Ramaphosa said.