Power of the People Residents Shine Light in Darkness
The Herald 26 Jan 2026
Abstract
"The major power outage affecting large parts of Nelson Mandela Bay has sparked a wave of ubuntu in the Friendly City. Businesses, residents and politicians have pulled together since Thursday, offering up their homes and establishments to charge devices, store food or just share a chat over a cup of coffee. The power outage is as a result of the collapse of two 132kV overhead powerline towers along the Bethelsdorp-Greenbushes corridor, on Thursday afternoon, with vandalism and strong winds being blamed for the incident. Large parts of Nelson Mandela Bay were plunged into darkness, and as a secondary consequence of the disruption, several water pump stations and reservoirs were affected, resulting in water supply interruptions in some areas.
Speaking at the site of the tower collapse, Siya Mrasi, deputy director of transmission and distribution in the Bay electricity directorate, said he was satisfied with progress to restore power in the amended 10-day timeline. Across the metro, residents and dozens of businesses and healthcare facilities have since been forced to plan, pray and pull together. Social media has been flooded with requests and offers by residents to assist with everything from storage of food to charging of devices."
More Background:
Cause of the Outage
The blackout started on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following the collapse of two 132kV powerline towers along the Bethelsdorp-Greenbushes corridor. Contributing factors included:
- Vandalism and intentional damage
- Strong winds
- Long-term infrastructure issues like rust and lack of maintenance
This failure disrupted electricity across the metro and impacted water infrastructure, affecting pump stations and reservoirs.
Restoration Efforts
Municipal teams, with support from Eskom, are on-site repairing and replacing the damaged towers. Deputy Director Siya Mrasi noted progress towards a revised 10-day restoration timeline. The Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, is providing updates as costs for repairs could reach R10 million, with potential temporary power cuts in affected areas.
Community Response
The community has rallied together, with residents, businesses, and healthcare facilities offering support. Social media initiatives include charging stations, food storage for perishables, and gatherings to foster connection, showcasing resilience and mutual aid during the crisis.
How can we pray?
- For the swift restoration of electricity: Heavenly Father, we ask for Your divine intervention in restoring power to the affected areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, just as You promise in Isaiah 58:12: "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." Guide the hands of the workers and engineers to repair the fallen towers quickly and safely, bringing light back to homes, businesses, and communities. In Jesus' name, Amen.
- For the growth of ubuntu and humanity towards others: Lord, deepen the spirit of ubuntu in our city, fostering greater compassion and mutual support among residents, as urged in Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." May the acts of kindness we've seen—sharing homes, charging devices, and offering fellowship—multiply and become a lasting bond of unity. In Jesus' name, Amen.
- Against politicians exploiting the situation: Gracious God, we pray that leaders and politicians would act with integrity and not use this crisis for personal gain or division, remembering Proverbs 29:2: "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." Grant them wisdom to prioritize the common good, rejecting opportunism and focusing on genuine service to the people. In Jesus' name, Amen.
- For the development of an effective maintenance strategy: Father, we seek Your guidance for municipal authorities and experts to create and implement a robust, long-term maintenance plan for our infrastructure, drawing on the wisdom in James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Help them address vulnerabilities like vandalism, corrosion, and neglect, preventing future outages and ensuring reliable services for all. In Jesus' name, Amen.
- For overall resilience and provision in the community: Lord, strengthen the people of Nelson Mandela Bay through this trial, providing for their needs and building enduring resilience, as in Matthew 6:11: "Give us today our daily bread." May the secondary effects on water and daily life be resolved, and let this experience lead to stronger systems and deeper faith, turning darkness into a testimony of Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
A Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You in this time of darkness in Nelson Mandela Bay, asking for Your swift restoration of electricity to homes, businesses, and water systems. As You are the Repairer of Broken Walls and Restorer of Streets (Isaiah 58:12), guide the workers' hands to rebuild what has fallen, bringing light and stability back within the promised days. Lord, let this trial deepen ubuntu among Your people—may we value others above ourselves in humility, sharing burdens and kindness as Philippians 2:3-4 teaches, turning hardship into stronger bonds of community. Protect our leaders from selfish ambition or exploitation; let the righteous thrive so the people rejoice, not groan (Proverbs 29:2). Grant politicians and officials integrity and a servant's heart. Finally, pour out Your wisdom generously (James 1:5) on authorities to develop an effective, lasting maintenance strategy—addressing neglect, vandalism, and vulnerabilities—so future outages are prevented and reliable service blesses all. Provide our daily bread amid disruptions (Matthew 6:11), and turn this challenge into a testimony of Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Compiled by GAP Ministries
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