NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2026

CANNON ROCKS RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION (CRRA)

More information is available on our website – www.cannonrocks.com

Cannon Rocks, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Eskom Smart Meter Project

The following information is provided by Cannon Rocks Ratepayers Association with the consent of Eskom.

In addition to the smart meters already installed, Eskom has initiated a project to roll out smart meters to all remaining customers by the end of 2029.  A smart meter is an electricity meter with a type of technology that allows customers to see consumption, enables consumers to budget their energy cost and allows Eskom to remotely monitor and adjust the electricity supply, based on the needs of the utility at the time.  The installation of smart meters (placement or replacement) or the Customer Interface Unit (CIU) will be at no cost to the customer.

Eskom will inform customers soon of the smart meter programme through a comprehensive education campaign.

Benefits of smart meters for customers

  • Instant control over their energy use.
  • No more waiting for physical meter readings.
  • Accurate billing: Eliminates estimated bills by providing exact usage data.

 Benefits of smart meters for Eskom

  • Improved load management: Helps manage demand more efficiently and avoid load shedding during peak times.
  • Remote monitoring and troubleshooting: Enables quick detection of outages and faults in the grid.
  • Reduced operational costs: Reduces Eskom’s costs as no need for meter reading contracts and service calls.
  • Better forecasting and planning: Detailed usage data, supports better infrastructure, planning and energy distribution.

Excising Pre-paid Customers.  The existing meter situated in the kiosk near your property and the digital meter, plugged into an electrical socket, will be replaced by a smart meter (located in the kiosk) and a Customer Interface Unit (CIU), plugged into an electrical socket in your house, which must always be on, respectively.

Non- Pre-paid Customers.  A smart meter will be fitted in the kiosk near your property and a Customer Interface Unit (CIU), which is to be plugged into an electrical socket in your house, which must always be on, will be issued to the property owner.

Please note that A PowerPoint presentation issued by Eskom is available on CRRA website – www.cannonrocks.comCannon Rocks, Eastern Cape, South Africa, under the “NEWS” tab.

Addo National Park

During discussions with the management of the Addo National Park, bordering Cannon Rocks, it was confirmed that the management of the park will maintain a fire break between the park and the western border of Cannon Rocks, especially prior known to be regarded as dry periods.

Enquiries were received regarding the deterioration of the Cannon Rocks Trail in Addo Elephant National Park.  In response to these concerns, South African National Parks (SANParks) issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the reconstruction of boardwalks at Diaz Cross and along the Cannon Rocks Trail.  The RFQ forms part of SANParks’ on-going efforts to maintain infrastructure within the park and to ensure the safety and accessibility of visitor facilities.

A site briefing for interested tenderers was held on 20 February 2026.  The procurement process will be monitored.

Domestic Refuse Removal

During a meeting with the Director and Deputy Community Protection Services on 18 February 2026, domestic refuse was discussed.

As the closure of the domestic refuse transfer site at Boknes is currently under investigation, skips are being provided temporarily at the garden refuse transfer site in Boknes for this purpose.  However, these skips are being misused for general dumping.  It should also be noted that due to uncontrolled access to the garden refuse transfer site, the site is increasingly being used for the dumping of building rubble.

It is of great concern to note that both residents and holidaymakers leaving Cannon Rocks and Boknes on days other than the scheduled refuse collection days are leaving their domestic refuse in various municipal areas.  As no alternative arrangements exist for refuse removal outside the scheduled collection days, residents and visitors are urged to make the necessary arrangements to dispose of their domestic refuse when departing from Cannon Rocks or Boknes, in line with practices followed in other towns and cities.

Residents and visitors are therefore requested to either dispose their domestic refuse at the registered refuse site in Alexandria, or make arrangements with a neighbour to place their refuse out on the next scheduled refuse collection day.

Eskom: Fire and Safety

In 2023, during a meeting with officials from Eskom, the issue of overgrown overhead power line structures within the boundary of Addo Elephant National Park, at the north-western end of Cannon Rocks, was discussed. These overgrown structures pose a potential fire safety risk.  Eskom acknowledged that the maintenance and securing of such infrastructure, falls within its responsibilities, including areas where its infrastructure is installed on property not owned by Eskom, commonly referred to as “way leave” areas.

During the discussions, the maintenance of Eskom kiosks in Cannon Rocks was also addressed.  Several Eskom kiosks are damaged, creating safety hazards for pedestrians, particularly children.  Some door hinges are severely rusted, preventing the doors from closing properly and cannot be locked causing them to be torn off by strong winds.  This results in exposed electrical wiring and connections.

 

In February 2026, the Association wrote a letter, supported by photographs, to the Eskom Customer Relations Officer responsible for the area including Cannon Rocks, reminding Eskom of its maintenance and repair responsibilities as previously agreed.

Portfolios

As the portfolio holder who represents Cannon Rocks at the Ward 1 Meetings, and who is also responsible for environmental matters, will very soon be leaving Cannon Rocks, these portfolios will become vacant.

Would any permanent resident of Cannon Rocks be willing to make them available to join the committee and help represent the interests of ratepayers and permanent residents, in matters concerning Cannon Rocks Village?

If you are interested, please contact Mr Bert Venter, the Chairman, on 046 654 0272 or 082 451 2426.