Claim Free Basic Electricity

For many elderly residents in areas like Kanyamazane, Pienaar & Ngodini keeping the lights on can be a daily struggle. To ease this burden, the South African government offers Free Basic Electricity FBE a monthly allocation of 50 kWh of electricity at no cost to qualifying low-income households.

This initiative is designed to cover basic energy needs such as lighting, charging a cellphone, or watching television for a few hours a day. While the allocation is limited, it provides meaningful support to pensioners and vulnerable families who rely on social grants to survive. Any electricity used beyond the free 50 kWh must still be purchased at the normal rate.

Who qualifies?

FBE is available to households that meet the low-income criteria set by local municipalities. In general:

• Households with limited or no income qualify.
• Pensioners receiving social grants are often eligible.
• Homes with prepaid meters may automatically receive the benefit if they are on a low amperage supply (such as 20 Amp).
• Other households must be registered on the municipal indigent list.

Impact in Mbombela and surrounding areas

In the City of Mbombela, where Kanyamazane is located, a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. Estimates suggest that over 360,000 people may struggle to afford basic services like electricity. This makes programmes like FBE essential in supporting daily living, especially for pensioners.

A call to register

Despite the availability of FBE, many eligible households are still not registered and therefore miss out on the benefit. Pensioners and low-income families in Kanyamazane are urged to ensure they are listed on the indigent register so they can receive their free electricity every month. If you do not receive FBE yet, go to your local municipality and register for FBE.  You can claim your FBE token by using the following options: dialing *130*869# or *130*269# or contact your local municipality to find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Access to electricity is more than a convenience—it is a basic need. Through FBE, the government aims to ensure that even the most vulnerable households can live with dignity.