On Loadshedding, Water Cuts, Finding Hope And The Helpers!

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“In times of tragedy, always look for the helpers.”

Johannesburg, South Africa (13 October 2022) – Showeeee, South Africans are cross today. And rightfully so.

Another notice from the government: Our area is now in Stage 2 LOAD and WATER shedding. That’s right. Our power and water are both being cut off due to a lack of infrastructure. Not because there isn’t enough of it but because the framework is old, unmaintained and failing the people, just like the government fails daily.

“South Africa won’t survive this. This is the end.”

Those words send shivers down my spine.

In 2022 you can pretty much identify as whatever you want, so my pronouns for a while now have been “that guy who is 29”. And friends, I’m not really 29, but I needed to give context to time and how long I have heard the same narrative.

“You need a plan B. This country is falling apart. We’re becoming the next Zimbabwe. This is the end.”

Always the same narrative.

“We’re done. It’s time to leave… turn your inverter off on the way out.”

And yes, some days it may feel like it’s the worst of times – even for me – but I absolutely believe it isn’t and in my heart of hearts, I don’t think it will ever be.

We are not done. Not even close. There is just no way.

Ja, our government have royally stuffed things up… and continues to do so.

The corruption, mismanagement and horrible leadership have led us to a place where they can’t keep the lights on, the water running, or the sea clean. They can’t even keep count of how much money has gone missing or who exactly took it. And the crime. Oi ve… the crime is violent and completely out of control.

But there is another narrative in our beautiful country. One that not even this inept government can destroy, steal from or try to put under a mattress.

The people.

The good citizens of South Africa who are not just putting plasters on the broken bits but physically fixing and ensuring they can’t be broken again.

People like Thuli Madonsela, Ian Cameron, The Arch (may his dear soul rest in peace), Dr Imtiaz Sooliman and Carolyn Steyn. The Whistleblowers, the founders of charity organisations, the organisations who fight against GBV, the anti-corruption lobbyists, the legal fraternity who actually uphold the law, the journalists who don’t back down, and that South African who refuses to “give a cooldrink” to get out of a fine.

These are the people that are doing the most for our country and they will be remembered as the leaders in South Africa.

And there are so many of these heroes.

Sometimes you won’t even know their names but they are the helpers, the heroes and the ones that keep this country moving forward.

Just this week, we published stories about communities rallying together to create initiatives to fix potholes, clean the streets and fight crime. We published a story about a man who started a soup kitchen, hosted the first-ever Rugby World Cup viewing party for homeless people and now feeds millions. A woman who started cleaning the Hennops river and recently celebrated removing over 2 million kilograms of trash! The neighbours helping each other during loadshedding. The residents walking around their neighbourhoods to stop crime before it happens. Raising money for strangers in need. Being kind. Holding government accountable and people doing everything in their power to create a better South Africa TODAY!

It’s going to take a few years. It’s going to be tough. And we won’t be able to do it with the current people in power but I foresee that our country will rise! We will become leaders in so many ways, including renewable energy. Yes, watch this space. We will be teaching the world how it should be done.

We will not only survive this but we will thrive.

Don’t lose hope my friends. Not yet. Not ever.

It’s the people!!!

Also, voetsek ANC.

Okay. Love you. Bye.