In the Dark: Load Shedding, Power and Water Outages in South Africa

I'll be the first to admit that we first-world folk are a little spoilt. It's so easy to underestimate how much we rely on water, power and internet. 

I'd always considered myself a pretty low maintenence type of person in Australia. As it turns out, I cope very poorly when I’m left without basic utilities- even for a few hours. 
There's the obvious things, like being in the dark and only using bottled water. Then after a while I forget and try to cook something on a stove that won't turn on. When my laptop and phone die I don't know how to get up and go to class on time. 
And all of a sudden I can’t shake the craving for toast. 

Let me introduce you to load shedding : this is where the supply of electricity is not always enough to meet the demand. When it becomes too much, it’s see ya later power, hello candles and take-away food. 
Welcome to Johannesburg. 
For me it’s the uncertainty that can be frustrating. There’s a website that tells you when to expect load shedding, but it’s rarely even a little bit accurate. All of a sudden you’re cooking dinner or studying for a test and things stop working. And soon this could be the reality of water as well due to population growth, depleting natural resources and a lack of infrastructure.

For all my complaining, load shedding has actually been extraordinarily low for the most part of my trip. Power, internet and water still randomly go out far more often than they would in Aus. However this post is largely inspired from two water outages and a five-day power failure on campus. 

Candles in wine bottles always make good decoration in power outages

Both water outages have been because of some kind of fault. We don’t really know why, and we definitely don’t know when it will be back. The first time water was gone for a few days. After one day you’re starting to smell, you’re thirsty as hell- and don’t even get me started on the state of the toilets. And guess what happens when all your pans, bowls and plates get dirty? 
Eat from a cup? Take-away pizza anyone? 

I think the electricity outage was the worst. Firstly, let me be clear that I’m incredibly happy living in South Africa and I adore so much about this country. However, after five straight days without power, I had reached my first-world limits. 

I firmly like to think all the hype about Johannesburg’s high crime rate is way overstated and it’s perfectly safe to live here. In saying that, we did lose power after some major part of the system (don’t ask me to get technical) was stolen one night. That caused an initial outage. Then campus power also failed. And when electricians tried to fix it there was an explosion and two were severely burnt. Oh and then the back-up generators overpowered and stopped working. It was just one thing after another really. 
On the plus side, most uni classes were cancelled and assignments extended. I also used it as an excuse to do my first video news assessment (see me play journo below).

I almost laughed when some students in my class personally apologised on behalf of South Africa for having power problems. They seemed embarrassed, like they wanted to disprove all the overstated African stereotypes, or I was some kind of precious first-world princess stuck in the slums. And don’t get me wrong here, it was frustrating as all hell. My coping abilities were truly tested (and I’m not too sure I passed the test) but it honestly doesn’t make me think any less of this dynamic country. It’s just something to adapt to.

Back home you completely forget how much you rely on utilities and how fantastic it is that we have maintained systems in place. Even though it sucks sometimes, when the lights go out it brings some kind of unity. Everyone heads to the lounge room, pulls out the candles and for a few hours we can slow down and forget the crazy routines of our lives.

This of course wears off after a few hours when you start to feel hungry or would like a warm shower, but I’ve definitely learnt to be more grateful for everything I have. A feeling that, in my opinion, is completely neglected back in the comforts of my home in Australia.

There's something so much nicer about candle light than regular lighting

This is my second post during my 5-month stay in Southern Africa. Read my first post on the beautiful country Lesotho here.  
Follow me as I try to convince you to pack your bags and get on a plane to Africa, before I make my way to South East Asia (for a third time) in 2016.

When I'm not writting, photographing, exploring and studying overseas, I keep myself busy posting about Melbourne life @ ditchedinmelbourne

From Lesotho: A Country You've Never Heard Of

I don't know about you, but I had never heard of the country Lesotho, pronounced le-su-tu (yes, I got that wrong too). It's a tiny landlocked country, completely surrounded by South Africa. At one-third of the size of Tassie and with 75% of its 2 million population living rurally, it’s no wonder Lesotho is largely unheard of.

Some tourists (myself included) find their way to this mystical country briefly as a side trip when in South Africa. I didn't really know what to expect. But now that I’ve been here, it’s a place I would never dream of leaving out of an African itinerary. Our three day trip started quickly, by-passing the sprawling streets of the country’s capital Maseru. My friends and I made our way West to Malealea- a sleepy farming village so silent you can hear the sound of your own breath. I quickly realised this was a place I wouldn’t want to leave. 

We visited late August during drought- and the colours of the rolling farmlands were a visual designers dream. Think of rusty browns and yellows, soft shades of pink on the blossom trees and moments of deep green buried in the dry farms. I could close my eyes and see how at a different time, the landscape would completely change to something just as breathtaking. Like with the rich, vibrants greens that come with rain, or the piercing white snow of winter.

Spring blooming across the countryside

 

The tour options were simple, no need for loud cars or yappy tour guides. The afternoon view from a hammock would really be enough to satisfy. One of the best views I have ever seen came from the back of a pony as we trekked through the winding plains of Malealea. You could see a panoramic view of rising hills, endless countryside and valleys that stretched far beyond where the eye can see. I’d close my eyes to hear only the gentle flow of water from the river and the faint ring of cow bells as farmers went about their daily routine.

6 hours of pony trekking in the hills

There’s always barriers between local and foreigner, but here you feel as though the barrier is more transparent. There’s no crowds hiding behind their flashing cameras and digital connectivity. We spent out last morning strolling through the village, asking the locals about traditional customs and lifestyle of the Basotho people. The tours are more like a casual conversation. You start to feel like you can see a glimpse of this lifestyle, beyond the view of an outsider. 

I love comparing other countries to my home back in Australia, and (no surprises here) it turns out that there’s not a whole lot in common between Aus and Lesotho. The United Nations Human Development Index (a measure of GDP, life expectancy and education) ranks Lesotho 162^nd in the world. Meanwhile Australia is sitting pretty at No.2.

57% of people live below the poverty line in Lesotho

ifitweremyhome.com

I'm a sucker for statistics. And normally when I see stats like this, I ask the question- why is this so? Lesotho makes me ask- why does it matter? I stumbled across the work of South African photographer Rene Paul Gosselin and his words encapsulate exactly what Lesotho makes me think:

'Lesotho is indeed one of the poorest nations on earth. And yet, who are we to judge or clasify the lifestyle of others?'

As I sat back and looked across the stunning rural landscape of Malealea, I'd take a deep breath. Close my eyes. And ask myself; is this the life we should be living?

The simple life

This is my first post of my 5-month stay in Southern Africa. Follow me as I try to convince you to pack your bags and get on a plane to Africa, before I make my way to South East Asia (for a third time) in 2016. 

I travelled to Lesotho with two other Australians through Rush Adventures and we stayed and booked our tours with Malealea lodge.
If you're as interested in other countries as me, this will tell you a bit more about Lesotho, and if you love photography check out the work of Rene Paul Gosselin which helped inspired this piece.

When I'm not writting, photographing, exploring and studying overseas, I keep myself busy posting about Melbourne life @ ditchedinmelbourne.