Electricity up from today

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The cost of electricity increased by an average 15% today, depending on where you live in the country.

Different municipalities have instituted different increases. In Mossel Bay the increase is 14.59%.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved an Eskom electricity increase of 15.63% for this year. It was implemented on 1 April for electricity consumers supplied directly by Eskom. For the remainder of consumers, the increase took effect from today, 1 July.

This is the highest increase in a decade and could not have come at a worse time, with Covid-19 taking its toll on people's earnings or causing job losses and food and other prices rising constantly.

Also, it is mid-winter and already electricity delivery is poor, with continual load shedding taking place. Illegal electricity connections are rife.

In terms of rates and taxes, in Mossel Bay, the following are subsidised: the indigent (very poor); the indigent and disabled; the poor; and pensioners. They must apply to the municipality for these subsidies themselves. "The municipality urges them to do so," municipal spokesperson Nickey le Roux says.

Council has increased the subsidy to indigent level 1 households and households with a person with a disability from R683.32 to R776.08, effective from today. The subsidy to indigent level 2 households has been increased from R341.66 to R388.04.

This week Danie and Beatie le Roux of Hartenbos Heuwels were pondering the effects of the electricity increase. Photos: Jannie du Plessis

Tips to use less electricity

Switch off your geyser for parts of the day. (Some disagree.)
If possible, turn your geyser temperature down slightly so the water is not super hot.
Change to a mainly raw food diet to limit cooking and electricity use. It is proven, eating raw salads, fruit and mainly vegetarian foods leads to good health.
Take turns cooking with your neighbours. Buy food, such as vegetables, in bulk. Everyone can contribute food and one household cooks for the other households each night.
Make meals that do not need to be reheated and that last in a fridge, such as potato salad, three-bean or chickpea salads and green salads.
Buy or make a "cooking cushion". This is a cotton cushion with a lid. It is filled with bits of polystyrene. Bring rice or pasta to the boil on the stove, then switch off the stove and place the pot of rice in the cushion to finish cooking.
Make desserts that do not require boiling or baking, such as fridge tarts and puddings using jelly, cream and fruit, for example.
Instead of switching on a heater or an electric blanket, dress more warmly and use hot water bottles while you are working at your desk or at night.
Make coffee or tea in a flask and drink it during the day instead of constantly boiling the kettle.
Only put enough water in the kettle for the number of cups of coffee you are making. Do not fill up the kettle every time you boil it.
Pre-treat dirty garments with stain remover and wash them on a cold cycle in your washing machine.
Shower instead of bathing because bathers often top up the bath with hot water.

See documents on indigent, poor and pensioner subsidies here.

Discount to pensioners (single residential properties)

Pensioners qualify for the under-mentioned discounts on rates and sewerage fees if they comply with the following conditions:

a) The applicant must be the registered owner; and

b) The person must occupy the property permanently; and

c) Minimum age of registered owner and his/her spouse must be at least 60 years or older; or

d) The registered owner of the property is declared medical unfit and receives a pension to this effect; and

e) The total gross monthly household income of all persons permanently residing on that property may not exceed the amount determined by council during the annual budget.

Discount to Pensioners as determined by council for the 2021/2022 financial year

a) Total gross monthly household income of all persons permanently residing on that property may not exceed R 23 000 (R 276000 per annum) - 30% discount per month on rates and sewerage charges

b) Total gross monthly household income of all persons permanently residing on that property may not exceed R 17200 (R 206400 per annum) - 50% discount per month on rates and sewerage charges

All applications for Pension Rebates will be effective for the same period as the General Valuation Roll. Applicants that currently qualifies, will retain their pensioner’s status until the next General Valuation becomes effective (1 July 2022). All pensioners must re-apply for Pension Rebates by 31 March of the year preceding the next General Valuation effective date (31 March 2022)
Any new applications may be submitted at any time during the year, after which the rebates will be pro-rated from the month following successful application. (Application forms can be obtained from the Municipality).
If any status relating to 5.7.1 of this policy change, it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the municipality. After notification, the municipality will remove the “Pensioner” status on the property. If neglected to notify the municipality of such status change and the municipality becomes aware of such change, the municipality will remove the “Pensioner” status and reverse any rebates that was granted on the property from application date.
Applications must be submitted at the Main Building, 101 Marsh Street, Mossel Bay or via email to admin@mosselbay.gov.za . An acknowledgement of receipt of application will be issued to owners.

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