Update

GEORGE BUSINESS NEWS - The George Business Chamber is conducting a survey to establish the direct impact of Eskom's load shedding on economic activities in George. This follows after load shedding became part again of the lives of millions of South Africans last week.

Dr Dennis Farrell, chairperson of the George Business Chamber, told the George Herald that South Africans tend to find humour in the most trying situations. 

"It is reported that when President Cyril Ramaphosa remarked that he was shocked at the state of Eskom, someone quipped, 'Mr President, the electricity needs to be on for one to be shocked!'."

Energy analyst Chris Yelland estimates that the cost of load shedding to the "productive economy" comes to about R2-billion a day.

Farrell says assuming the "productive economy" is the same as the gross domestic product (GDP), one can calculate the cost of load shedding to George. The 2017 SA GDP was around R4 900-billion, and the GDP of George for the same period was about

R16-billion. This means that one hour of load shedding costs the productive economy of George about R6,7-million per day or R512 000 per hour.

These figures are astounding. Farrell believes that, whether equating the productive economy to GDP is correct or not, the business community should urgently engage with both the George and Garden Route District municipalities to find strategies to become less reliant on Eskom.

"We have an energy efficient airport. Why should we not strive to become an energy sufficient municipality and district?"

He says the chamber has designed a short survey for public participation in order to voice the concerns of the citizens of George and the business sector. "The results of the survey will enable interaction with the authorities and other bodies based on feedback from the greater George business as well as residential sectors."

Details

Complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/7YQZM69. It would be helpful if participants could supply the information no later than 25 February. A summary of the survey will be discussed with critical stakeholders. You don't need to be a member of the George Business Chamber to participate in the survey.

Read a previous article: Take part in local load shedding survey

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