"LOAD shedding is not the end of world."
This was according to the African National Congress MP and deputy chairwoman of the National Council of Provinces, Sylvia Lucas.
She said this during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate on Tuesday, 13 February.
Speaking in Afrikaans, she alluded to sabotage being behind load shedding and not government failure.
"We will have to do something about that sabotage," said Lucas.
She told MPs that during the first 30 years of democracy, the ANC government had to deal with laws that oppressed fairness and equality.
"We have repealed those oppressive and discriminatory and enacted laws to overhaul the functioning of the broader state machinery. These actions have helped to solidify our democracy and assisted us to make great strides towards realising our countries democratic goals," said Lucas.
Her remarks drew criticisms on X.
ActionSA Eastern Cape chairman commented: “This confirms how out of touch and overwhelmed these thieving comrades are. Shame on you, Sylvia Lucas.”
Political commentator Khaya Sithole said: “Sylvia Lucas' sentiments about load shedding are err, quite illuminating...”
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DA MP Kevin Mileham said: "Did Sylvia Lucas MP of @MYANC and deputy chairperson of the NCOP in @ParliamentofRSA really just say (or maybe screech) that load shedding is not the end of the world?"
Mzansi was plunged into stage six on Saturday, two days after President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his Sona on Thursday, 8 February.
He promised the nation that load shedding would be a thing of the past soon.
He said since the revival of the renewable energy programme five years ago, the government has connected more than 2 500 MW of solar and wind power to the grid, with three times this amount already in procurement or construction.
"Through all of these actions, we are confident that the worst is behind us, and the end of load shedding is finally within reach," he said.
