As a South African in the 21st century, we still haven’t given up our 'Voortrekker' ways. It is still an oil lamp at hand at night or brewing a cup of coffee over a gas stove, and early nights while getting ready for bed without any light needed. Somehow we couldn’t let our past go.
“Shame, that poor people sitting there in South African,” is probably the thoughts of an American. They probably think there is something wrong with us because a generator is still being used late at night. And magically, when there is no power, there is nothing to do except counting sheep.
Am I the only South African experiencing the struggle of driving through town with no power? Because then suddenly no one knows how to drive. That one honks, the other one speeds across a four-way-stop, and another stops dead in the road to stare with its mouth hanging open, catching flies.
And then I am not even mentioning the most inconvenient times the load shedding button gets pushed. Isn’t it strange that as soon as that clock strikes the time, we are sitting with no power? As if someone is checking his watch precisely to push that button with glee. He probably does an evil laugh as he pushes that red button. I hope it is a red button. In my mind it is a red button, but anyway.
If load shedding was a person, it would be that awkward person you accidentally go with on a date because your friend set you up. Because, helloooo, I can’t do any work without the internet. I can’t study without the internet. You can’t make a living without the internet. Load shedding button pusher, we need the internet over here and we need the traffic lights because I think I am on the verge of throwing a car tantrum. And the ice cream is melting. You don’t mess with a person’s ice cream.
Instead of making us happy citizens, load shedding has melted our ice cream, made people lose their driving skills and took away the ability to work/study. I must admit that I am beyond impressed that there hasn’t been a car crash yet.
Anyway, that was my opinion on this whole Load Shedding shady business thing. What is yours?
Q. What did South Africans use before candles?
A. Electricity.
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