KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of Brackenhill and surrounding forestry communities staged a protest on the N2 near Brackenhill last Saturday, 30 May, calling for greater municipal support and representation after weeks of electricity outages and intermittent water shortages.

The affected communities are among those hardest hit by the severe storms that struck the Garden Route in May, causing extensive damage to Eskom infrastructure and leaving some areas without electricity for more than four weeks, and residents are experiencing growing frustration over the service delivery challenges.

Growing frustration

In a statement, civic accountability advocate Baren Saayman said the forestry communities of Brackenhill, Middelerf, Springveld and Swaneberg continue to face service delivery challenges and limited representation despite their historical contribution to Knysna’s economy. 

He argued that the current electricity crisis has highlighted broader concerns about community participation in municipal planning and decision-making processes.

According to Saayman, residents have repeatedly raised concerns through formal channels but feel their issues have not received adequate attention. Saayman said the recent protest reflects growing frustration among residents rather than being the root cause of the current tensions.

Call for dedicated representation

Saayman has called for the establishment of a stand-alone municipal ward for the forestry communities, arguing that their unique infrastructure and service delivery needs require dedicated representation. 

He said a dedicated ward would provide residents with their own councillor, budget allocations and public participation processes focused on local priorities.

Electricity restoration delays

The concerns come amid ongoing Eskom restoration efforts following the widespread storm damage. 

In a statement issued on 26 May, Bitou Municipality confirmed that several areas remained without electricity due to extensive infrastructure damage and difficult terrain hampering repairs.

According to Eskom’s restoration schedule, power is only expected to be restored by 25 June to areas including Askop, Brackenhill, Harkerville, Fisanthoek, Klein Bavaria and Buffelsnek, while Garden of Eden is expected to remain without electricity until 25 July.

Humanitarian concerns

While residents say they understand the challenges facing restoration teams, many have expressed concern over the prolonged outage and its impact on their daily life.

Residents told the Knysna-Plett Herald that households have been forced to cook over open fires and buy perishable food daily because they cannot store it safely.

Some warned that tensions could flare up again over the coming weekend if electricity is not restored or if humanitarian assistance is not provided.

Residents in parts of Rheenendal, including Keurhoek and Bibbieshoek, are also reportedly still without electricity.

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