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Free tools · From NERSA’s 2026/27 decision · North West

How many units for R100 in Rustenburg?

R100 buys 39.3 kWh of prepaid electricity in Rustenburg at the start of the month, VAT included, on Rustenburg’s prepaid tariff for homes, 3. Residential prepaid (town). It also has a fixed charge of R560.19 a month, which your purchases pay first. Units cost more as the month goes on: once you’ve bought 350 kWh, R100 buys 26.1 kWh.

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What R50 to R1,000 buys in Rustenburg

Rustenburg has 2 prepaid tariffs for homes that, going by their names, any household can be on. The cheapest for a month of 500 kWh comes first:

3. Residential prepaid (town)39.3 kWhfor R100 at the start of the month, plus a fixed R560.19 a month

Units (kWh) for each amount, VAT included. Start of month: your first units of the month, with the fixed charge paid. First buy: the month’s first purchase, if it pays the whole fixed charge before any units. After 350 kWh: once you’ve bought 350 kWh this month.

You payStart of monthFirst buyAfter 350 kWh
R5019.60.013.0
R10039.30.026.1
R20074.00.052.2
R300107.10.078.3
R500173.20.0130.5
R1,000338.5153.3259.0
Units this monthPrice a unitR100 buys
First 50 kWhR2.5539.3 kWh
50 to 350 kWhR3.0233.1 kWh
350 to 600 kWhR3.8326.1 kWh
Above 600 kWhR4.6521.5 kWh

It has a fixed charge (basic charge R487.12 a month, before VAT) that comes to R560.19 for November, with VAT. You pay it whatever you use, and your prepaid purchases pay it first. The decision doesn’t say whether its tariffs include VAT; 15% added, as municipal tariffs are usually quoted without it. Source: NERSA decision, page 28.

5. Residential rural prepaid41.9 kWhfor R100 at the start of the month, plus a fixed R826.79 a month

Units (kWh) for each amount, VAT included. Start of month: your first units of the month, with the fixed charge paid. First buy: the month’s first purchase, if it pays the whole fixed charge before any units. After 350 kWh: once you’ve bought 350 kWh this month.

You payStart of monthFirst buyAfter 350 kWh
R5021.00.013.1
R10041.90.026.1
R20077.00.052.2
R300110.60.078.3
R500177.60.0130.5
R1,000345.268.1259.1
Units this monthPrice a unitR100 buys
First 50 kWhR2.3941.9 kWh
50 to 350 kWhR2.9833.5 kWh
350 to 600 kWhR3.8326.1 kWh
Above 600 kWhR4.6521.5 kWh

It has a fixed charge (basic charge R718.95 a month, before VAT) that comes to R826.79 for November, with VAT. You pay it whatever you use, and your prepaid purchases pay it first. The decision doesn’t say whether its tariffs include VAT; 15% added, as municipal tariffs are usually quoted without it. Source: NERSA decision, page 29.

Why the same R100 buys less later in the month

On this tariff, Rustenburg sells electricity in blocks that start again on the first of every month. The first 50 kWh each month cost R2.55 a unit, VAT included, and the price goes up in steps after that, to R4.65 a unit above 600 kWh.

So R100 buys 39.3 kWh at the start of the month, but only 26.1 kWh once you’ve bought 350 kWh that month. Splitting your purchases doesn’t change this: the blocks count every unit you buy in the month, however you buy them.

The fixed charge

Rustenburg charges R560.19 a month on this tariff, VAT included, whatever you use, and your prepaid purchases pay it first. If the whole month’s charge comes off your first purchase, your first R100 of the month buys no units at all, and R460.19 of the charge is still owed from your next purchase. Municipalities collect it in different ways, some a little with every purchase. Your till slip shows what was taken.

Other household tariffs

TariffR100 buysFixed a month
1. Residential lifelineFor households that qualify84.3 kWhNone

Units for R100 at the start of the month, VAT included, with the month’s fixed charge paid. The municipality decides who qualifies.

Elsewhere in the North West

Units for R100 at the start of the month, VAT included.

Source: NERSA decision, page 28, Rustenburg’s tariffs for 2026/27, from 1 July 2026. Worked out for November 2026. In parts of most municipalities, Eskom supplies homes directly.

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