I woke up on Monday, July 21, 2025, at around 4:30 a.m., as I usually do, to get ready for work. I noticed it was quiet outside. Normally, I can hear the sound of hooting taxis, neighbours’ cars, and other people on the streets as I get ready. I remembered that posters and messages had circulated on WhatsApp the previous week, informing people of the Thembisa Shutdown planned for Monday, 21 July.
Thembisa is one of the big townships in the East Rand of Gauteng, located within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. On 1 July 2025, the municipality introduced a fixed electricity surcharge/tariff of R126. Residents said this hike was high and unaffordable, as many people in Thembisa are unemployed.
Electricity is expensive. I had to buy electricity a week ago, and I remember thinking to myself, “Soon we will not be able to afford this electricity.” I have noticed many people on X saying this.
I had been away from our office for three weeks and had an in-person meeting that had been arranged in advance. I wanted to go to work, but I could not.
So, I worked from home. At least I could get some work done, and I saved on travel costs to the office. However, I felt that my life was put on hold and disrupted. I was frustrated that my movement was restricted. The roads were blocked by bricks and burning tyres in the different sections of Thembisa, and the major exits were closed. I did not take part in the protests. I did, however, leave home a few times to check whether I could travel or if the roads were still blocked. I kept checking for updates on social media and the news as well.
In response to the protests, Ekurhuleni Mayor Cllr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza visited Thembisa. He met with the community and shared that the fixed electricity tariff of R126 is temporarily suspended.
My attitude towards protests is usually indifferent. Perhaps this is due to the manner in which the protests are carried out; the restriction of people’s movement, violence, destruction of property, looting and the impact on the economy. Some employers are not as understanding when employees are absent from work, especially on Mondays; however, to be fair, such protests are planned, and community members are informed about this.
Perhaps as a community member who is employed, I should plan better and participate in protests. But I should not be prevented from moving or going to work if I choose to. Or should I? I am aware that, in this instance, I am benefiting from this protest action, along with many others who, like me, were indifferent. Is this fair?
Life’s lessons encourage hard work and enjoying the fruits of our efforts and labour. However, there have been situations where we benefit from the work of others, where others have laid a foundation for future generations to build upon and benefit from their labour.
I think back to the recent successful protests in South Africa, such as the #ZumaMustFall and #FeesMustFall campaigns, to mention a few. Our history in South Africa demonstrates that protests have played a significant role in the fight for democracy.
The culture of cancelling people and complaining about service delivery on social media platforms from the comfort of home has its place in the world. When communities take to the streets for the common good, change can be achieved that contributes to improving the everyday experiences of people.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke.
