The Daily Struggles of South African Electricians: Discipline in the Face of Adversity

Being an electrician in South Africa is no easy path. Beyond the physical demands of the trade, electricians are faced with endless hurdles just to stay afloat in an industry that should be flourishing. From government red tape to unfair competition by illegal “sparkies,” every qualified professional knows it takes more than skill with wires and circuits to survive—it takes grit, discipline, and resilience.

The Red Tape Trap

One of the biggest frustrations for registered electricians is navigating the maze of bureaucracy. The Department of Employment and Labour (DOL) demands strict compliance for registration as a Registered Person before you can legally issue Certificates of Compliance (CoCs). While this is necessary to protect the industry, the process is notoriously slow and inconsistent:

• Months of Waiting: Applications often sit on desks for 3–9 months, leaving electricians unable to issue CoCs or grow their businesses in the meantime.

• Unclear Requirements: Many electricians get sent back multiple times for small “errors” or missing documents, creating delays that cost them income.

• Changing Rules: Just as candidates think they understand the process, regulations and interpretations shift, leaving them frustrated and stuck in limbo.

For an electrician trying to earn an honest living, these delays can feel like a noose tightening around their livelihood.

Illegal Sparkies: A Growing Threat

While registered electricians are fighting through endless admin, unqualified individuals—often referred to as illegal sparkies—flood the market. These operators:

• Charge cheaper rates because they don’t comply with safety standards or pay for licenses.

• Issue fake or fraudulent CoCs, putting homeowners and businesses at risk.

• Undermine the entire profession by creating an environment where the cheapest option wins, regardless of quality.

The Department seems unable—or unwilling—to clamp down on this plague. For every registered electrician who plays by the rules, there are dozens of illegal operators taking shortcuts without consequence.

Lack of Support from the Department

Many electricians feel abandoned by the very body that is supposed to regulate and protect the profession. The DOL does not provide:

• Timely communication or updates on applications.

• Inspections or enforcement to curb illegal operators.

• Clear support structures for electricians trying to grow and remain compliant.

This lack of accountability leaves professionals vulnerable, frustrated, and feeling as though they are fighting a battle alone.

Discipline: The Only Way to Survive

Despite these overwhelming challenges, South African electricians continue to survive and thrive through discipline:

1. Financial Discipline – budgeting carefully to survive the long wait for registrations and slow payments from clients.

2. Professional Discipline – maintaining high standards of workmanship even when illegal competitors cut corners.

3. Time Discipline – balancing endless admin, continued training, and the actual work of wiring and installations.

4. Moral Discipline – refusing to issue fraudulent CoCs or compromise on safety, even when tempted to “do what everyone else is doing.”

It takes extraordinary resilience to keep going when the odds seem stacked against you.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

The South African electrical industry is filled with hardworking, disciplined tradesmen who want nothing more than to do their jobs and provide for their families. But unless something changes—unless the Department of Labour enforces laws against illegal sparkies and streamlines the registration process—the future of the trade is under threat.

Until then, survival depends on one thing: the unwavering discipline of electricians who refuse to give up, no matter how tough the road becomes.

💡 TDMI Training and Nearby Electrician stand shoulder-to-shoulder with electricians in this fight.

• TDMI Training empowers tradesmen through accredited training, assessments, and guidance to meet all regulatory requirements.

• Nearby Electrician supports qualified electricians with contractor registration, business compliance, and building sustainable enterprises.

Together, we are committed to empowering electricians and illuminating futures across South Africa.