Duduzile Nyathi
Bulawayo—Zimbabwe’s ongoing power crisis is more than just an inconvenience — it is a growing struggle that is severely impacting businesses and households alike. Load shedding, which now lasts long hours a day, is wreaking havoc on productivity, revenue, and basic living conditions as the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) battles to meet the country’s energy demands.
On Sunday night, Zimbabwe faced a significant nationwide power outage, plunging millions of citizens into darkness as the country continues to deal with these energy challenges. ZESA confirmed the blackout and issued a statement to affected customers:
“Our National Control Centre has advised that there has been a national blackout. Works are already in progress to resolve the issue.”
While the precise cause of the blackout has not been revealed, early reports suggest a technical fault within the national grid.
Businesses, especially small-scale enterprises, are feeling the pressure. For Thandiwe Moyo, who runs a bakery in Bulawayo, load shedding is taking a direct toll on operations. “Without power, we cannot bake during the times we need to, and sometimes we have to throw out spoiled products,” Moyo explains.
Small businesses are not alone — larger manufacturers and retail businesses are also facing significant losses, with many having to rely on costly backup generators to keep operations running. A recent survey conducted across various local businesses reveals that 78% are reporting reduced working hours due to load shedding, and 65% have experienced lost revenue as they struggle to meet customer demands. In the tourism sector, hotels and lodges are seeing a decline in bookings, as potential visitors opt for destinations with more reliable power supplies. “Tourists are not willing to stay in places with unreliable electricity,” says John Chikondi, manager of a lodge in Victoria Falls. “Our operational costs have increased due to the need for backup generators and fuel.”
The ripple effects of load shedding extend beyond businesses. Households across Zimbabwe are also grappling with disrupted daily routines. In cities like Bulawayo, many families rely on electricity for cooking, lighting, and even children’s education. “I have three children in school, and load shedding makes it hard to help them with their homework in the evenings,” says Kudzai Mlambo, a mother of three. “We rely on candles and generators, which are not always reliable, and it affects their studies.”
While some urban residents can turn to solar panels or inverters to mitigate the effects of power cuts, these alternatives remain out of reach for much of the population, particularly in rural areas. As ZESA struggles to improve the nation’s energy supply, the economic costs of unreliable electricity are mounting.
The healthcare system is also feeling the strain, as hospitals rely heavily on electricity for life-saving equipment. Power outages have disrupted services, with critical devices such as oxygen tanks and incubators becoming unreliable during prolonged outages. With no immediate solution in sight, Zimbabweans are left adapting to a new normal.
For businesses, the challenges of load shedding demand urgent solutions. Many experts suggest a shift toward renewable energy, particularly solar power, could offer long-term relief, but such solutions are often too costly for the majority of Zimbabweans. As the government and power utility continue to tackle infrastructure issues, the country faces an uncertain future, with the hope that increased investments in energy generation can bring about a lasting resolution.
For now, the struggle for power continues, with Zimbabweans finding ways to adapt to a reality where electricity is neither reliable nor guaranteed. The power crisis is no longer just a technical issue — it’s a deepening economic and social challenge that will require urgent attention to secure a brighter future for the nation.
