Load shedding is now a thing of the past according to President Jacob Zuma, who was addressing staff at Eskom\u2019s Megawatt Park in Johannesburg on Friday.<\/p>\n
Zuma was flanked by a large contingent of bodyguards and tactical police during a visit to the power utility\u2019s head office. He is expected to visit South African Airways (SAA) later in the day.<\/p>\n
During his State of the Nation Address, Zuma announced that government will provide support to a range of state-owned companies while also implementing the reforms that would make them more effective in delivering on their mandates.<\/p>\n
Eskom and SAA have faced a slew of operational challenges, with the former having averted major power outages and load shedding for nine consecutive months.<\/p>\n
During his visit, Zuma met with the country\u2019s power station managers, toured Eskom\u2019s Integrated Generation Control Centre, and addressed the parastatal\u2019s staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the job that I have been given in the country to supervise government, I have a programme to visit companies, villages \u2013 there is no place I don\u2019t visit,\u201d\u00a0 Zuma said.<\/p>\n
He said he often receives reports on the situation at state-owned companies which do not show the whole picture.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have come to see how we are doing. Receiving reports about what is happening might not tell the whole story, anyone can write a report.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was saying to your management earlier that I am now aware that we are close to finish(ing) a year without load shedding, and I tell people that we are not going to have it any more,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wondered, having not been here, am I telling the truth? Now I am going to tell people there will never be any load shedding, I have been here, I have seen it,\u201d Zuma added.<\/p>\n
Zuma referenced a presentation that he said gave him confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though I did not go to any school, I understood it. It was very articulate. I wanted to run out in the street and say we have won, and I am told that soon we will have surplus energy to sell.\u201d<\/p>\n
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