South Africa power cuts enter fourth day

Electricity cuts in South Africa are causing economic difficulties.

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Language challenge

Complete this sentence: The company suffers from gross ____management.

a) mal

b) dis

c) mis

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The story

South Africans are facing a fourth day of severe power cuts. The troubled, state-run firm, Eskom, has appealed to customers to turn off all  non-essential lights and appliances. The power cuts have caused transport problems in Johannesburg with many traffic lights switched off. South Africa's ageing network has suffered from years of mismanagement.

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Key words and phrases

blackouts

periods of no light or electricity

• The earthquake destroyed the power station, resulting in a city-wide blackout.

• The government ordered a blackout so the enemy planes can't target the city at night.

light at the end of (the) tunnel

sign that a difficult situation will improve or end

• I was wrong. Now I've studied a bit more, there's light at the end of the tunnel.

• After winning the lottery, I saw light at the end of the tunnel for my money worries.