The Faith and Hope Foundation, a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting residents of Ga-Rankuwa Unit 23, has been waiting for Eskom to install a much-needed electricity transformer for more than a year. The prolonged delay in securing a reliable power supply has brought many of the foundation’s projects to a standstill, affecting vulnerable community members who depend on its services for education, outreach, and support initiatives for matric learners.
Ga-Rankuwa has long struggled with recurring electricity challenges, including transformer failures and vandalism. Residents across several units have previously staged protests over extended power outages, citing slow response times from Eskom, the country’s main electricity provider.
Eskom has attributed similar delays nationwide to supply chain constraints and high demand. However, critics argue that prioritization often favors more developed areas, leaving township communities such as Ga-Rankuwa at a disadvantage. While new transformers have been installed in some nearby areas following community pressure and municipal intervention, Unit 23 — including the Faith and Hope Foundation — remains without electricity.
Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, the foundation’s efforts to engage Eskom have yielded no results. For over a year, the organization has logged repeated calls requesting installation of the transformer, only to be told at one point to “buy their own transformer.”
Ga-Rankuwa Times contacted Eskom spokesperson, Ms Amanda Qithi, and provided documentation of the logged calls, as requested. However, more than a week after undertaking to investigate the matter, the spokesperson had not responded at the time of publication.
In the meantime, the foundation continues its work despite these setbacks, relying on alternative measures where possible and the dedication of volunteers. However, a permanent electricity solution is essential to ensure sustainability and to fully reopen and expand programs aimed at empowering the community.
This situation indicates ongoing service delivery challenges in South Africa, where infrastructure delays continue to affect non-profit organizations and low-income communities striving for development and self-improvement.
As winter approaches and energy demand rises, calls for Eskom to respond to the Faith and Hope Foundation and the broader Unit 23 community grow louder, yet go unheard.