On 23 June 2026, a transformer exploded in Alexandra township, Johannesburg and – just like that – an entire section of the community was plunged into darkness. Among the affected is the Realogile site, home to one of our LaunchPads, where Net Buddies and Video Mentors have their weekly video conversations (VCs), learn, and build relationships that matter.
For those outside the community, an extended power outage might sound like a temporary hardship. For families living through it, the consequences run much deeper and touch nearly every part of daily life.
Dark streets and unlit homes tend to invite more opportunistic crime and residents are reporting an increase in robberies since the outage began. All adding extra stresses to already difficult lives.
Without electricity to power heaters in the winter months, households have fewer ways to stay warm. Without refrigeration, they have to spend more to buy fresh perishables. And they’re forced to use hazardous open fires and gas stoves to cook.
What should have been a straightforward repair has become a waiting (hoping) game as the utility provider, has asked cash-strapped Alex residents to contribute R200 ($12.50) before they will even consider installing a new transformer!
If Alexandra’s experience mirrors that of other townships across Johannesburg, the timeline for resolution is anyone’s guess. Even though the affected area is also home to both a police station and a public school.
Inevitably, the outage is affecting our Realogile site which explains the frustrating interruption in our weekly mentoring sessions. Not to mention ability of our Net Buddies to use the LaunchPad for their research, homework, or studying.
This outage is more than an inconvenience — it’s a disruption that ripples through safety, health, and the everyday routines that hold a community together. Infinite Family remains committed to keeping our Net Buddies and Video Mentors connected, whatever it takes, while working toward solutions that don’t depend on a grid that too often lets communities like Alexandra down.
For now, our teens are staying connected via VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and we’re exploring longer-term solutions, including solar panels, so that sites like Realogile aren’t left vulnerable should the problem recur or go unresolved.
In situations like this, we especially appreciate our monthly Sustaining Donors! Sustaining donors set up small monthly gifts via our website and because they are regular and reliable, we always know what capacity we have to meet unforeseen challenges or expenses that keep our teens safe and studying. If you would like to become one of these important members of Our Infinite Family, we gratefully accept gifts via Apple Pay, credit card, crypto, Zelle, PayPal, or Snapscan. Thank you.