One in five businesses in Nelson Mandela Bay cut jobs in the first Quarter of 2023, with over 90% halting investment and expansion plans.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber said extreme load shedding is placing local manufacturers under immense strain.
Chamber CEO Denise van Huysteen has called on all stakeholders to work together to find emergency solutions to mitigate the risks.
She says now that extreme load shedding has become the norm, manufacturers are struggling to retain the viability of their operations, and it is now a question of survival for many.
Van Huysteen says the Chamber survey found that 75% of businesses were forced to implement short-time, while 18% reported job cuts.
She says another survey will be conducted in the Second Quarter and is expected to be more severe.
