|
SA 'not saving enough power'
14/03/2008 14:07 - (SA)
Johannesburg - South Africans were not saving enough power, President Thabo Mbeki told community development workers at an indaba in Midrand on Friday.
"...I get a sense that we haven't quite got this message through that there is a national challenge which requires a response from all South Africans," he said.
Mbeki referred to corporate buildings along the Ben Schoeman Highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg whose lights were left "blazing" all night, and to floodlit billboards on the same route.
People didn't understand that if they didn't switch off Eskom would again have to impose power blackouts.
He described the Community Development Workers as foot soldiers who "must make sure our people respond to this national emergency".
This, they had to do even if it meant going house to house to convince the public that each one of them could make a contribution.
"We depend on you to ensure the country rises together in response to this national emergency." he said.
Mbeki said that he had instructed staff at his official residence in Pretoria to take measures to save electricity.
However, he acknowledged that these had not been altogether successful.
It had emerged that they had managed to locate some, but not all, of the switches to its many geysers, he said.
- SAPA
|
News
Power Crisis Special Report
