You may already know many of these Loadshedding tips but a reminder of how to get through the current energy crisis is always welcomed.
Johannesburg, South Africa (26 January 2023) – As South Africa “ping-pongs” between various power stages, a list of “Loadshedding Tips” is being shared all over social media to help us all get through the constant blackouts.
The list was apparently written by a Zambian but no other details have been shared as to who the author is.
Read the full piece below:
I live in Zambia and have been living with loadshedding every day, for 12-18 hours a day for the past six months. A couple of my friends asked for my loadshedding tips, so I thought I’d share them here too.
Most important tip: be patient, stay calm, and accept that it’s going to be what it’s going to be, regardless of how worked up you get about it! Yes, it sucks, yes it’s unfair, and yes, some suburbs are way worse off than others.
1. Fill a few 2L bottles with water and freeze them. When the power goes off, move 2 or 3 into your fridge and limit opening and closing the door. Leave the other frozen bottles in the deep freeze and only take them out once the others are down to about 25% ice. Swap them out for more frozen ones. This should keep your fridge cold enough to preserve your food for at least 8 hours. The ones in your deep freeze should stay frozen for at least 12 hours. Remember, don’t open and close the doors unless entirely necessary!
2. Keep your power bank charged up and ONLY use it when the power is off. If you know you’re in for a few hours of downtime in a day, put your phone on low power mode ASAP to preserve battery life.
3a. Invest in decent rechargeable camping lights ( Cape Union Mart, Makro, Game). They last a few hours and are bright enough to read/play board games/shower by.
3b. Get some rechargeable globes (R75 – R125 each depending where you shop).
It charges when the power is on and works well during loadshedding. Get one for every room in the house and there will be no need to sit in darkness any longer.
4. Thieves love loadshedding when all is in darkness. Light up the outside of your house with solar lighting. Invest in decent solar lights, the kind with its own panels; this is a “must have” item. Shop around… Makro and Game now stock it, but also the Chinese shops (who give you zero warranty). 100 watts gives a very decent light and will last the whole night. 200 watts will light up your outside courtyard or carport. It can be set for automatic timing.
5. A car phone charger is a necessity!
6. Keep groceries in the pantry/fridge that don’t require cooking (if you have an electric stove/oven.) Tapas anyone? If you’re desperate, a little camping gas stove is a good idea for easy meals like scrambled eggs, 2 min noodles etc.
7. When the electricity is on, boil the kettle and fill a flask or two to use for baby bottles/tea/coffee.
8. Plan outings for your scheduled loadshedding time. During the day, it’s not so bad, but at night it can get really depressing sitting in the dark night after night. A movie, a date night, a meal out, late night shopping, hanging with friends on a different schedule to you – all do wonders at boosting your mood and reducing the effect load shedding actually has on you. Don’t be scared to call on your community!
9. If it’s within your budget, consider getting an inverter system or generator. Even the most basic system will give you a few hours of the minimum: lights, chargers, tv, and maybe a fan. Electricity prices are going up by 18%, so factor that into your financial calculations.
10. Hot water. A simple solar shower bag kept full and in the sun can be a mood changer. A solar geyser is better.
11. Cooking – keeping the braai stocked with charcoal or wood is now an essential chore.
Invest in a gas hob; the prices are increasing with demand.
12. Hang washing up carefully, so it doesn’t crease. Hey, our British visitors never iron any clothes, an example to follow.
13. Communications – I have noticed that the cellphone towers are going off during load shedding. Get to know your neighbours in case you can’t phone or text. If anyone knows Elon Musk, a few Starlink satellites will help.
I know it sucks, and it is frustrating and makes you shake your head and swear and rage. But try to remember the many wonderful things you have as a result of living in South Africa. And enjoy all the candle-lit bubble baths you want!
You can also check out South Africa’s favourite DIYer’s tips below:
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