Date of Award

Spring 5-11-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Second Advisor

Brendan Cahill

Abstract

Numerous inequalities experienced by South Africans right now are a result of the country’s previous apartheid government. One example is South Africa’s current energy distribution, which is extremely inequitable across communities due to the structurally failing energy grid and corruption within the government. Energy distribution in South Africa encapsulates the practice of load shedding, which is essentially controlled rolling electrical blackouts. Chapter One examines quantitative data regarding energy production and distribution in South Africa, including the details of load shedding. Moreover, this chapter explores the negative relationship between energy production, load shedding, and ecosystem services. The quantitative data lays the groundwork for understanding future chapter topics. Chapter Two dives into the extensive history of South Africa, displaying systemic inequalities. This chapter includes an overview of the development of energy production infrastructure, the causes of load shedding, and the unjust use of load shedding on particular populations. Chapter Three defines, in detail, environmental justice and then applies the concept to the impacts of load shedding, including the economic and social disparities associated with the practice. Chapter Four evaluates how political players have prolonged the failure of the electrical grid through corruption and what efforts are being made to improve the grid and people’s quality of life. Chapter Five considers all the previous information to propose policy recommendations that support equitable energy distribution and encourage South Africa to move forward sustainably.

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