Nelson Mandela Bay, 12 October 2026 - The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has warned that the deteriorating state of the metro’s electricity infrastructure poses a significant threat to the sustainability of the local manufacturing sector and the direct and indirect jobs it supports.
Over the past few days, a number of power outages have affected industrial areas, the most severe of which occurred last Thursday, when manufacturers in Struandale and Deal Party were left without electricity for 15 hours, forcing thousands of workers to go home without wages.
Between January 2025 and October 2026 year to date, the Chamber has tracked 109 unplanned power outages in the metro’s key industrial areas.
“These outages represent far more than lost production time. They translate into lost revenue, wasted materials, damaged machinery, lost wages and missed customer and export orders. They also undermine Nelson Mandela Bay’s reputation as a reliable investment destination,” says Denise van Huyssteen, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
“When manufacturers cannot rely on electricity supply, they cannot operate efficiently, meet production targets or fulfil orders on time. The consequences extend beyond individual factories, affecting workers, suppliers and the broader local economy.”
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Nelson Mandela Bay’s economy, contributing directly to 22% of the metro’s economic output while supporting activity across services, construction, retail and other sectors.
The sector is already under significant pressure from high electricity costs, cheap imports, logistics inefficiencies, the cost of managing safety and security risks, and the deterioration of essential municipal infrastructure, including roads, electricity, water and sanitation.
“Factories cannot keep their doors open if the basics do not work and the operating environment is not enabling. Manufacturers need reliable and consistent municipal services to plan their operations, remain competitive and protect jobs. Without urgent intervention, the cumulative effect of these challenges increases the risk of further deindustrialisation,” Van Huyssteen says.
The Chamber has repeatedly raised concerns about the state of the metro’s electricity infrastructure and the need for urgent remedial action. Key priorities include restoring the 132kV circuit breakers, addressing issues affecting the Chatty-Ditchling 132kV feeder, repairing the defective Ditchling/Swartkops 66kV switch and improving the overall condition of the Swartkops 66kV switchyard.
The most recent outages were attributed to vandalism, further highlighting the urgent need to strengthen security at critical municipal infrastructure, including substations and pump stations, through measures such as armed response, camera surveillance and active monitoring.
While business is willing to contribute to practical solutions, including through the adoption of 23 substations by Chamber members, the primary responsibility for securing, maintaining and operating municipal electricity infrastructure rests with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“Business is prepared to be part of the solution, but our contribution must complement, not replace, the Municipality’s responsibilities and constitutional obligations. Protecting critical infrastructure is not optional; it is essential to safeguarding economic activity, service delivery and employment,” she says.
The current security conditions at the Swartkops substation illustrate the scale of the concern. Significant sections of its perimeter fencing are missing, allowing unrestricted access to the facility, while overgrown vegetation further compromises the site’s security. This is particularly concerning given the substation’s strategic importance to electricity supply across major parts of the metro.
The Chamber has called for urgent action to address these infrastructure and security failures, warning that continued disruptions place businesses and jobs at risk in a metro where the official unemployment rate already exceeds 33%.
Businesses are estimated to contribute in excess of 75% towards the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s electricity income stream.
#ResurgeTheBay
Issued by:
Sibongile Dimbaza
Communications Officer