Free basic electricity of 50kWh per household per month is supplied to poor households who are connected to the national grid and supplied directly by Eskom. This is enough to provide basic lighting, basic water heating using a kettle, basic ironing, and power for a small radio and black and white TV.

FBE (free basic electricity) is allocated by local municipalities. It is every citizen’s own responsibility to enquire from the municipalities whether they qualify for free basic electricity, register to receive this service and collect the tokens monthly.

Users who have pre-paid electricity meters will be able to see when the free electricity has run out, and will then need to buy more at their own expense.

Those households who do not have access to grid electricity should look at other sources of energy such as solar power or bio-fuels.