A South African without a problem to ponder is like a Norwegian without a ski.
In the same way that the object of our love is front and centre mind-wise, so is Eskom.
The phrase, “If you love something set it free” is attributed wrongly to Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, just as electricity seems wrongly attributed to Eskom, so lets look at setting Eskom free of your future custom.
Here is the thing: You can’t do much about Eskom itself. Nothing, in fact. Eskom is out of your hands. There are two things in your hands. Your head as you read this. And how to power your lifestyle.
For now, lets ignore your head. It is too dark to see much anyway.
Your “response” is where you can take action. You can break the challenge down to bits that you can fix for yourself. And you will slash your costs and addiction for the rest of time.
Going cold turkey off electricity will be tough. My suggestion to prepare for total meltdown, which won’t happen because there is not enough electricity for it, is simple: Buy lots of cans of food. Even better, buy cans of food that nobody in the family really wants to eat. That way the supply will last longer.
Lets take stock. You already have at least one uninterruptible power supply. Most folk call it a car, but it doubles as a generator and a UPS. It won’t power your stove, but it will keep your freezer cooking, so to speak.
And speaking of cooking, I am thinking like a foreigner here, so the concept of a braai three times a day sure beats those cans of spam you have laid in. Or maybe a Cadac gas wotsit. Or a slow cooker, which uses about 60 watts to produce a fine meal. Put that in the boot of the car all day using an inverter to power it. (Hint: Secure it tightly otherwise your car will still smell like chicken tikka when you sell it after the petrol supply runs out.)
Speaking of 60 watts, the power most bedside lamps need, what about changing to a 10 watt LED lightbulb and then powering it through a cheap UPS which will power the lights around your bed and in your bathroom for weeks without needing a recharge.
Even better, lay in some rechargeable AAA batteries and then equip each family member with a LED headlamp. You know, the kind that cyclists use to blind the oncoming traffic? Not too sociable at the dinner table but sure avoids the spills in the bathroom in the middle of the night,.
Add some solar panels loaded with photovoltaic thingummijobs and the sun will keep you enlightened, and your laptop empowered, and even your fridge and freezer encooled.
Regarding security I favour a big dog. Come winter, your Shar Pei will double as a bed warmer. Speaking of warmth, last winter the UK govt gave some comforting advice to folk who could not afford to buy gas: Wear a jersey. Not much good in Norway, but will work like a charm in SA.
Is the country going to close down? Will all the lights really go out at the same time? Your guess is probably as good as the CEO of Eskom. It would need every power station to close down at the same time. And given the recent news about Eskom they lack the competence to arrange that. The likelihood seems remote.
Speaking of remotes, try rechargeable batteries, or walking to the TV, or even, and I realise this is awful advice, switching the TV off because the news is all bad. Then cuddle up to somebody promising. Your partner would be a good choice. Your Shar Pei even better. Your dog won’t complain about the bad light. Nor about your snoring. Heck, not even about your cooking.
Frankly, I think we face a much bigger power related problem. Some years ago New York hospitals almost collapsed as a spate of babies arrived exactly 9 months after a big power outage. I feel that the best thing you can do right now is have a long chat to your partner about family planning. Being warm is not the same as getting hot.
May the power be with you.