Loadshedding What to do when electricity is not

available 24/7
Alet Van Zyl - I have a 1-plate gas stove, a kettle and a pot. I boil water, make stew, soup, or
whatever. I have invested in a good battery operated light for reading when darkness strike. My
home is filled with candles so I light a match and there we go. During loadshedding I tell stories. (My
granddaughter of 5 loves my stories!) Or we look at the moon and stars and listen to the silence. We
honestly make the best of the situation. However, loadshedding is disruptive in many ways. I am
lucky, but thinking of people in need of an oxygen concentrator or nebulizer, etc. How do they cope?
Tersia Helena Maree I use battery lights. They are quite effective and not as dangerous as candles. I
prepare food earlier than usual and keep it warm in the warming oven. We love being outdoors,
eating and chatting in the moonlight. I am positive. Our discomfort is nothing comparing to the
suffering of our ancestors in those concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer war. Keep in mind
that our forefathers never knew the luxury of electricity. Endurance is in our genes. Everything has
a beginning and an end. This, too, will pass.
Hendrieka Pozyn Visser We use a little gas stove (those for camping), gas lamps, candles, and sun
power lights.
Ansie Lotriet Coetzee For me loadshedding is a special occasion. I listen to sounds I never hear, such
as a mouse running around somewhere in the house, the tick-tock of the battery-powered clock in
the kitchen and my neighbors snoring.
Riana Botha We have a 2-plate gas stove; preparing food is not a problem. We have a flash drive with
music and a portable, battery-powered speaker, and access to the Internet via our laptops. To
prevent the sudden flow of electricity when the loadshedding is over from damaging my fridge,
deep-freeze and TV, I unplugged them during loadshedding. I feel sorry for businesses, especially
those who have to keep perishable food fresh in fridges. I hope Eskoms new manager will solve all
problems.
Carolyn Neser I keep candles in glass vases for safety. During loadshedding I do handwork that
doesnt require electricity, like quilting. I listen to music on my wireless radio. For cooking I use a
little gas stove. Nowadays I buy more tinned food and less stuff that can go off in the fridge and
freezer. I miss my computer and empathize with those who get stuck in traffic jams caused by dead
traffic lights and traffic cops shining in their absence. BTW, I make a point of keeping cellphones
and all batteries charged.
Maureen Tempelman O Callaghan I have a gas stove for cooking, candles and lamps for lighting, TV
not essential, as we have so many repeats. I use the time to read, or doing crossword puzzles or
catch up on filing. I sympathized with small businesses having to pay their staff in spite of no
production during loadshedding.
Ntsutle Motaung Mafisa I use candles and solar lights from Game, and cook normal meals. I cook in
bulk, and eat them cold. Of course, sometimes loadshedding takes you by surprise, then you have no
option but to go buy from fast-food outlets or restaurants. Fortunately most of them have generators,
so loadshedding doesnt effect them. During loadshedding I read, or continue to help my son with
homework - as normal. I miss my soapies - especially Isibaya. Loadshedding is a symptom indicative
of a bigger and more disturbing malaise of maladministration, bad planning, not caring about people

or the economy. I do applaud the government for hooking up the black majority to an electricity grid
that was meant for the exclusive use of the white minority, but more could have been done to expand
it. Loadshedding, in a way, is still partly rooted in apartheid problems. Solar is the way to go. I wish i
had money to make this a reality soon.
Mariaan Faurie Erasmus I just bought an oil lamp. I have downloaded an app on my tablet to get
loadshedding alerts. I plan my day in accordance with loadshedding schedules. I keep my tablet,
cellphone, laptop, mp3 player and e-book reader charged. You will never hear me complain; I love
the peaceful atmosphere during loadshedding. Just relax! People should gear themselves for
loadshedding and stop complaining. Complaints dont solve problems. All my fresh-water fish had
died due to the horrible water provided by the municipality. The water crisis in our near future is
going to make loadshedding looks like a party. I am also more concerned about xenophobia and
other crap going on in this country.
Dalene Pieterse - Without TV? Good, quality family time!
Shannon - Martie, I saw your comment about loadshedding. Obviously, I am not from South Africa.
But I do know how frustrating it is not to have access to electricity or a computer, a vehicle even. As
long as there is a tomorrow, there is always hope for a better future.
Isabel Roesch - I have battery powered Christmas lights in the kitchen, candles and LED lamps in
the rest of the house. I have a 2-plate gas stove. Loadshedding in my region is normally during
breakfast, or over dinner and bath-time for the kids. I have nothing to complain about.
Joan Visser - Its only hubby and I. If we know its coming, I get rolls and cold meat, lettuce tomato
and cheese. We have candles, one LED globe torch and a headlight for reading, a laptop with access
to the Internet and a wireless radio. What more do we need? We have a roof over our heads!
Angelica Jooste We use a generator (powered by diesel) at night, and a gas stove/oven for cooking
and boiling water. We live on a farm, so no electricity also means no water. (The bad about electric
pumps!) So, I have to keep a lot of water in containers. I hate Eskom!
Jeff Potas I use candles, gas, and keep tea in a flask, listen to the radio and chat with my friends on
my cellphone. I dont miss TV, but my hubby does.
Jeanette Bergoff Snr We wear those mini headlights on our heads and socialize a lot during
loadshedding. During the day when we are home - we spend quality time in the garden. It is hard at
work, not being able to work during loadshedding. Everything besides filing we have to do on
computers. I have sympathy with our boss, having to pay us in spite of loadshedding.
Tersia Helena Maree I keep my flask filled with boiling water for coffee. As long as I have coffee, Im
happy. Oh, and the gas stove, too, is an important utility. However, I am quite afraid of gas. My
father, who lives with us, normally gets it going.
Elizabeth Loock I dont miss TV. I use my laptop for editing my clients photo's in the evenings.
Thanks to loadshedding we have more time to worship and praise the Lord.
Martie VanEck Du Toit We bought a Solar Kit that keeps 2 lights burning. Also have a gas stove.
Lizette Holloway - I practice my violin during loadshedding. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Use
candles and those Console glass bottles with the solar pads. Worse things can happen to us than

sharing electricity. I feel sorry for businessmen, not able to produce during loadshedding.
Suzette Swartz - We have lamps powered by rechargeable batteries. Time flies while I am
crocheting. Loadshedding will not get the better of me.
I think Suzette has summarized the attitude of the majority of South African women: "Loadshedding
will not get the better of us!"