If you have heard anything about (or live in) South Africa recently, you will know that the only thing spoken about more than Robert Mugabe “potentially” being uprooted after 3 decades of power, is the story of load shedding power outages all over the country.
The power outages started small, sporadic and from what I gather, pretty unplanned. They are now regular, longer and proceed whether or not the additional power is required or not. You will lose power according to a schedule so at least now you know when you will be thrown into darkness.
This has, until tonight, not really effected me being in Cape Town, Paarl and Port Elizabeth with the exception of a couple of hours in the morning when I was still sleeping. Tonight however I am in Durban and the folks and I tried to go for dinner. Only now did I see the extent of what this load shedding is doing. Traffic lights and street lights are out. Petrol stations and shopping centers in complete darkness. Most businesses including shops and restaurants are closed. Fortunately the restaurant that we had chosen to eat at is a Thai restaurant and cooks completely on gas.
From what I hear there is no escape from this for many years to come. 2015 is being predicted?
It will soon become the joke: “What did South Africa use for lighting before candles? Electricity!”
I think people will soon get bored talking about electricity and move onto more pressing issues such as Robert Mugabe “potentially” being uprooted after 3 decades of power. God I only hope he steps down peacefully. Crazy man!
yellerKat
April 3, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Why are they power-shedding at night?
jUUles
April 3, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Sounds to me like they need Eytan Wolfson to come sort them out.
HooX
April 4, 2008 at 5:36 am
YK – Aint got a clue. I’m still trying to get my head wrapped around the enire scheme. It’s a pity they can’t split power usage across essential services such as street lights, trafic lights and bars.
jUUles – Or perhaps Zarbo? “Now that’s what I’M talking about!”
Louisa
April 4, 2008 at 6:58 am
We got load shedded again yesterday at work for a couple of hours, and even though we have a back up generator to run the computers it doesn’t cover the lights or the aircon. It gets really stuffy and hot after about half an hour in there – so the boss bought each person an ice cold Coke, which then lead to an international burping contest with our UK office.
Sad to say, they won…
HooX
April 4, 2008 at 7:18 am
Lou – HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I dig your office! But I’m pissed that you let the Poms win. Next time, call me!