MOC11-14 2023-01 -16_#LoadsheddingWoes

In case your want to read what I wrote:
South Africa has been having loadshedding since 2007. It comes and goes (haha)... just like the power. Some years the power outages were just for a few days or maybe a couple of weeks, but since 2021 they have been back a lot more to the point of being a daily occurrence. In 2022 we had 200 days of loadshedding. The stage (how many hours and how often) varies and we all keep a close eye on the schedule. For the most part we have coped with the outages. We adapt and make plan around the times when the electricity is off.
The worst the loadshedding has been in the past is Stage 4, 2 hours off up to 4 times a day. But since December 2022 we went to stage 5 and then stage 6 which has blocks of 4 hours without power. These longer periods are causing more stress. The country's infrastructure is taking even more strain and so the power either doesn't come back when it should, or does come back and then trips and we're out for longer. The Robots don't work during loadshedding either and so the traffic gets worse. Everyone is feeling the effects of the loadshedding and it's not great! As of 11 January we are permanently on stage 6 which can be up to two lots of 4 hours off plus an extra 2 lots of 2 hours.
Thankfully we have a gas hob at home so I can still cook if the outage is over mealtimes, or boil the kettle if I've forgotten to fill the flask. We had a generator for a while which was great for the evening hours as we could power up the wifi and tv. We have a few rechargeable torches for light. The generator however wasn't working that great since just before Christmas, so had to go in for repair. At least with it being summer and light till about 7:30pm we haven't had too many hours of sitting in the dark. BUT this week ahead (Jan 17-21) we will be having 4 hours of no power from 8pm to midnight nearly every night... really not looking forward to that. To crown it all, last night (15th Jan) our power went off at 10pm and only got restored at 1pm this afternoon before going off for scheduled loadshedding from 2 to 4pm again! Got switched on and guess what, another trip. Reckon we are in for a long dark and powerless week!
The blessing of electricity is something we do take for granted… flick a switch and there is light. The darkness is not too much of a problem with torches or candles to provide light, the main problem is the fridge/freezer not keeping food frozen and the geyser not heating up water for baths. Holding thumbs the power comes back soon and that a solution can be found for South Africa’s electricity woes.

I seriously cannot imagine. I've heard about this but didn't realize how many stages and how long this has lasted. I think you are amazing for staying sane and upbeat. Thank you for making me appreciate our temporary power outages which are all based on weather and thus fixable. Thank you too for sharing this layout!!