# South Africa Faces Energy Crisis: A Nation Adapts to Darkness
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Chapter 1: The Energy Crisis Unfolds
As South Africa grapples with its 110th day of load shedding this year, we find ourselves reflecting on a challenge that has persisted for over 15 years. While countries in the Northern Hemisphere face heat waves straining their power grids, and Europe braces for energy shortages in the colder months, we are left to navigate our own dire situation.
To delve deeper into the mismanagement of our national power utility, Eskom, I recommend exploring my previous piece that outlines the failures of our ANC government in addressing this crisis:
Our President Has Lost His Marbles
When I first heard of the proposed solutions to our electricity woes, I thought it was an elaborate April Fool’s joke. But alas, it was July.
Section 1.1: The Escalating Outages
Since September 6, we have been facing relentless scheduled power cuts, leaving us without electricity for eight to twelve hours daily. The frustration is palpable as we battle the darkness.
The economic ramifications are severe, impacting every aspect of our lives. In my semi-rural area, I rely on mobile broadband to stay connected. Unfortunately, during load shedding, my internet speeds can plummet to below 1 Mbps, and recovering the signal takes time. I often find myself rebooting my Wi-Fi router and laptop multiple times before I can reconnect.
This inconsistency puts additional strain on the electrical grid, causing unexpected outages outside of the scheduled times. The frequent interruptions—occurring two to four times a day—heighten my frustration, even when I know there's little I can do to change the situation. These disruptions severely affect my concentration while writing and researching.
Nonetheless, I appreciate the significant investments made by mobile operators to maintain stable networks. In South Africa, MTN and Vodacom are the leading providers. I primarily use MTN, with a SIM data card and Wi-Fi router offering me 40GB per month. As a backup, I have a Vodacom plan providing an additional 1GB to ensure I remain connected, particularly for our neighborhood WhatsApp group during emergencies.
To keep their towers operational, network operators have invested heavily in backup batteries, but the current load shedding levels don't allow enough time for full recharges. Consequently, thousands of generators are deployed, consuming an astonishing 400,000 liters of fuel, which is a significant expense given current fuel prices. Furthermore, battery theft and vandalism have become rampant, costing operators millions annually. These rising costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers.
Section 1.2: The Economic Toll
Economists estimate that this ongoing crisis is costing us nearly $235 million in GDP every day. The second quarter of 2022 saw a contraction of 0.7% in our GDP, with blackouts hindering economic productivity. Without Eskom's failures, our economy could potentially be 8% to 10% larger. A recession seems imminent.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly hard-hit, lacking the funds to invest in backup generators or solar systems that larger businesses can afford. Unemployment remains alarmingly high, averaging 33.9% in the second quarter, with youth unemployment reaching a staggering 61.4%. Dr. Iraj Abedian, CEO at Pan-African Investments and Research Services, has noted that tens of thousands of jobs are lost directly due to load shedding.
Chapter 2: Food Security and Adaptation
AgriSA, an agricultural policy organization, emphasizes the importance of electricity for modern farming practices. The recent surge in load shedding has severely disrupted farming operations, affecting irrigation, cooling, and other essential systems. The cold chain is at risk, threatening the availability of fresh produce. On a brighter note, my home vegetable garden will provide some fresh greens this summer!
As we navigate these challenging times, adapting has become essential. Imagine the chaos of preparing children for school and yourself for work without electricity. Daily commutes have doubled due to inoperative traffic lights, and returning home to darkness is now a common occurrence. Without power, we face cold meals unless we resort to gas cooking.
The increase in burglaries has also been alarming, as alarm systems and electric gate motors lose battery power during outages. Insurance companies now consider it beyond the customer’s control if their alarm fails due to load shedding when filing theft claims.
Despite these hurdles, I am fortunate not to face those issues. While generators, solar panels, and UPS units are in high demand, they are often out of reach financially. With my limited budget, I can't afford a generator or solar panels; the only rechargeable batteries I have are AAA size.
To cope, I track the scheduled outages and ensure my laptop, phones, and Wi-Fi router are fully charged beforehand. During blackouts, my husband and I rely on headlamps powered by rechargeable AAA batteries to navigate our home.
Preparing meals has become a strategic endeavor. I can cook on gas but must time it right to heat dinner plates in the microwave while the power is on. As we enjoy the warm spring days, I often prepare cold meals for evenings when power is out from 6 pm to 10 pm.
As we approach the third week of rolling blackouts, I find solace in acceptance. Daily meditation has helped restore my clarity and calm. Humor, too, has lightened the mood. As DJ Kyos aptly put it, “In South Africa, we have so much freedom and rights. I think we’re the only country where water and electricity are allowed to go on leave or take some time off.”
I look forward to writing more frequently under these circumstances and promise to find joy in laughter amidst the chaos.
The first video discusses the experiences of a former high-ranking African warlock who encountered Jesus, shedding light on spiritual transformations amidst chaos.
The second video explores the 16 signs of genuine demonic possession, providing insights relevant to the societal challenges we face today.