Mr Speaker, unfortunately my speech is very similar, but load shedding is an important topic. No one will easily forget the impact that the year 2008 had on our country. We had the start of the global recession, the resignation of former President Mbeki and load shedding from Eskom.
This morning South Africans woke up, without proper notice from Eskom, to a level 3 load shedding warning, the first one we have had since 2008. In South Africa we do have the ability to predict the weather quite correctly. I knew that we were expecting heavy rains in the Maruleng Municipality in Limpopo, and we had them. Let us think of all those who were affected by it.
Eskom blames this unfortunate state of affairs on the rain and wet coal. This is not the first heavy rains we have had in those areas since 2008. Why did Eskom not take the necessary precautions? Its failure borders on negligent administration of our energy sources, and is letting this country down. The South African public is reacting negatively to it. Eskom's failure is fast becoming a trump card in the upcoming elections. Is it not time to ask tough questions and demand proper explanations from Eskom? We hope that the Minister will deal with them in an appropriate manner. [Applause.]