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Ramokgopa says South Africa takes cautious path on power reform

Published

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said reform of the electricity sector must be carefully managed. He spoke at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation forum in the Drakensberg, and cited observers who say liberalisation raised prices elsewhere.

Ramokgopa said some observers claim that liberalisation of the industry in countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia has failed. He said they link it to high electricity prices in those countries.

He said South Africa is taking a cautious approach to avoid unintended consequences. On reform, Ramokgopa said: "It mustn’t have the unintended consequences of driving up your cost of electricity."

He spoke on the sidelines of the annual forum, which the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation organises in the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal.

Key facts

Who
Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (Electricity Minister); Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation (organiser of annual forum taking place in the Drakensberg)
When
1 November 2026
Where
Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Status
Reported

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