LETTER: Load-shedding has its perks

Janice Carter writes:

From a worldwide pandemic to daily load-shedding, we as South Africans are learning to adapt to survive.

Add the current heatwave and you find yourself stuck indoors with wet clothes and handheld fans as your only source of armour and ammunition against the horrible temperatures we face at the moment.

But come a Saturday afternoon in the suburbs, you find people moving their activities outdoors, splashing in pools, riding bicycles and resting their weary bodies on picnic blankets while the smell of braai smoke mixes in the air.

South Africans have had to make do with ridiculous hours of load-shedding, getting home on weekdays to no power and raw meat on the menu. We stoke up the fires and make a braai in the middle of the week.

Children are learning being outdoors is just as much fun as being indoors. In my neighbourhood, the children shriek and cheer when the electricity comes back on, but before that, there are squeals of laughter as they chase each other around the yard.

Load-shedding has its perks, and we as South Africans need to embrace the positive things, like families sitting and visiting, without the television on or the cellphone networks entertaining the kids.

Load-shedding can become family time. We need to embrace it, as it’s here to stay. Make plans to enjoy quality time, time outside in the fresh air.

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