South Africa’s support for Eskom nears half a trillion rand

South Africa’s State-owned utility Eskom Holdings will have received close to half a trillion rand in state support almost two decades since it started imposing debilitating nationwide blackouts in 2008. The series of cash injections and a planned takeover of a portion of Eskom’s loan portfolio will amount to R495.6-billion in the fiscal year through March 2026, the National Treasury said in response to emailed questions. The figure includes Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s R254 billion relief package for Eskom, which was announced in February and hinges on the debt-laden company meeting pre-determined performance targets meant to wean it off its reliance on public finances.