Nelson Mandela Bay infrastructure maintenance must not be neglected

Another day, another blackout. This happens far too frequently in Nelson Mandela Bay.

At the weekend, power was lost in Summerstrand, Walmer and surrounding areas.

On Tuesday, it was Khayelitsha, NU13 and surrounding areas.

This is more than just a power failure. It is a reminder that the municipality is unable to maintain its infrastructure.

This is not a new problem, but one that has been there for decades.

Corrosion on a transmission tower, which led to a snapped rusty cross-arm, saw Summerstrand and Walmer go dark.

In 2024, four high-voltage towers collapsed due to rust and strong winds.

They were scheduled for reconstruction within the 2024/2025 financial year.

It is not clear if this work has started.

We live in a coastal city, so metal rusts quickly.

Components also age and towers weaken.

This is a fact. To pretend these events are unpredictable is negligent.

Also, poor communication by the municipality often turns a technical failure into a bigger crisis.

For the weekend outage, confusing rotational grid schedules were sent out, councillor WhatsApp groups yielded no answers and a media briefing never happened.

All while businesses scrambled and residents sat in the dark.

When power outages occur, residents deserve clarity and timelines.

It is not that hard.

But now consider the heavy rains last year, which caused widespread flooding across the city, sweeping away homes, bridges and roads, leaving people dead.

After the June downpours, councillors warned the municipality to clear blocked stormwater drains.

This was not done, and more damage was caused in October.

Maintenance is not a glamorous event, as there are no ribbon cuttings or photographs for social media.

But it is essential. Just like a vehicle needs routine maintenance, so does our infrastructure.

The solution lies in maintenance, transparent communication and accountability.

At the end of the day, these incidents show exactly what happens when maintenance is delayed, neglected or underfunded.

People pay the price. And that is not fair.

The Herald