This blog is bound to make you chuckle (or it might even annoy you), but short of installing a R50,000 generator, here are some ways you can cope with that pesky load shedding, the un-power hours:
- Candles
Laugh all you want, but this is a very big worldwide industry worth millions. Spice it up a little and use scented variants, and make a romantic evening of it. Alternatively, use lanterns.
- Braais
Everybody’s doing it – so this is not news. Gooi a couple of steaks on the braai and chill with a beer and enjoy the great weather in SA (even in winter on the Highveld). The accompanying bread rolls and potato salad also don’t need electricity to serve (well, that’s if you managed to cook the potatoes in time).
- Fondues
A huge hit in the 70s, if you’re not in a hurry and you’re looking for a practical way to have a nice evening, then this is the way to go. Snacking over a boiling pot of oil is communal and sociable, and you’ll probably end up eating a little less too. If you’re starved and don’t have the patience for it, then take-aways it is!
- Power banks
There’s no denying that we live in the 21st Century, and we have become dependent on technology. So for those must-have online moments, try a power bank. These nifty little devices will extend your tablet, phone or laptop battery life until the power comes back on, and are available for as little as R100. You can surf the Net and even watch a movie or two.
- Playing cards
When was the last time you played a good game of poker? Buy a pack of cards and see how much fun you can have, while actually striking up a conversation for a change.