Home automation is on the rise across the globe and South Africa is swiftly following suit. It’s easy to see why, as tomorrow’s tech savvy consumers can easily control energy efficiency, ensure safety, and reduce their carbon footprint, conveniently from the palm of their hands thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT).
At 45,4%, South Africa's youth unemployment rate dwarfs the national average (32.9%), highlighting the struggle many young people face entering the workforce. While a traditional university degree can increase job prospects, factors like cost, time commitment, and location often make it inaccessible.
To protect the grid from total collapse, City Power has implemented load reductions in parts of Johannesburg where high usage levels threaten to overload the system. While primarily impacting residences, these outages could significantly disrupt local businesses as well.
Every year, R7 billion is paid out by the Compensation Fund and Rand Mutual Assurance to address occupational injuries and diseases in South Africa. This statistic highlights the pressing need for improved health and safety practices in workplaces across the country.
As of 1 March 2024, Eskom has taken over control of load shedding in the City of Ekurhuleni. This, after the city reportedly failed to execute power outages when required. However, the metro has negotiated with the power utility for load curtailment to be implemented instead, which will see businesses reportedly being responsible for reducing their electricity consumption by 30%.
Illegal connections are one of the leading causes of electricity-related injuries and deaths in South Africa, as reported by Eskom. Not only is there danger involved for those who connect their electricity illegally, but also for the rest of the community due to the fires and electrocutions that can be caused.
Water authorities in Johannesburg have warned that the city's water and sanitation grid is on the verge of collapse, raising questions about the security of its water supply. While Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda recently unveiled a comprehensive water security strategy, Dr Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, believes that a crucial aspect is missing - saving electricity.