Loadshedding has become another new normal for South Africans – and it’s about as welcome as Covid-19.
Eskom CEO, Andre de Ruyter told us nothing new at his latest briefing on Monday – we already knew there will be a shortfall in the supply of electricity of approximately 4000MW over the next five years. And he reiterated the power utility has no choice but to continue with rolling out loadshedding.
So, we are forced to accept our power can cut out at any time. But we need to make a plan because life can’t simply stop when there’s no electricity.
Yes, we have schedules to follow, but that’s not enough as stages can change up or down at any time. And with winter slowly creeping in, it makes being left in the dark even worse.
Drum gives you eight tips to start preparing your household for the darker days ahead.
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1. Now is the time to invest in everything solar – for example, a solar geyser or a solar lamp for when the lights are out. But solar items can be expensive so try putting some money aside each month – starting now.
2. Make a list of your essentials to take stock of what you have. Make sure you have a stash of non-perishable foods handy and invest in a cooler box for items that might not survive in the refrigerator if the power goes off for a long time.
3. For the cold, winter days and nights, it’s important to find a reliable heat source. A gas or paraffin heater may be a good investment.
4. If you are buying new appliances, opt for non-electrical ones like a gas stove. And buy a generator if you can afford it.
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5. It’s essential to make sure all your appliances are charged – your computer, laptop, and phone if that’s what you use for work. You could also invest in a battery backup power supply or power bank that should have up to 10 hours of power.
6. Prepare your meals in advance, as it is possible to wake up or come home to no electricity and therefore no cooked food.
7. Invest in a hot box. It’s not only a healthy method of cooking, it’s also convenient for these dark times. The hot box uses a trick that’s centuries old and it requires a fraction of the normal heating time. Prices range from between R200 to R400.
8. If you want light, you’ll need to have a stash of LED flashlights or headlamps that are great for cooking in the dark, candles, or solar-powered lights.
