Eskom: South Africa’s fallen energy giant [Video]

Many South Africans are furious at the blackouts, which can last hours at a time.Photo: Phill Magakoe / AFPSource: AFP

It was once a source of national pride — an award-winning firm that powered South Africa’s mining boom and later brought electricity to black communities left behind by apartheid.

Today, a hundred years after its birth, Eskom has experienced a spectacular fall from grace.

South Africa’s energy giant is crippled by debt, beset by corruption scandals and unable to keep the lights on.

Families and businesses are exasperated by the record power cuts imposed by the utility, which provides about 90 percent of the country’s electricity.

“To South Africans today, (Eskom) represents a source of enormous frustration and ridicule,” said Kyle Cowan, author of “Sabotage,” a book detailing Eskom’s troubles.

A tweet Wednesday to mark the corporation’s centenary summed up the bitter mood.

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