A fairytale

In light of the recent rounds of power sharing it is an opportune time to dust off this old story of mine from 2007. “Dad! Dad! Who are those people in the street riding donkeys and mules and dressed like policemen? One has a lantern. There is also a woman in the group who talks non-stop. She is wearing a yellow overall with the words ‘Mobile Global Positioning System’ on her back.”

“My son, those are the electricity police, we are only allowed two hours of electricity per night. By the way, our candle is almost burned out. Better get another one while you can still see.”

“Dad, we read in history class about a time when there was lots of electricity and water, a time when all the cities were ablaze with light at night. Is this true?”

“Yes, my son. Long, long ago there was a time when we had all the power we needed. When we returned home after work we could switch on the lights, the stove and the TV all at once. We could even fill the kettle with water from a bent pipe called a tap.”

“Oh come on dad. This is hard to believe.”

“I know it sounds like something from a science-fiction movie. But sadly, it is true. It was called the period of enlightenment. Before the dark ages descended upon us.”

“So what happened, dad?”

“Who can say? At one stage people governed us who did not want other people to see the mistakes they made. Whenever they made a blunder, like poorly built houses, poorly maintained hospitals, potholes and a dilapidated water infrastructure they put out the lights.”

“Did anybody warn them?”

“Yes, I remember we had a strange guy as president once. He had had a crooked finger which he often waved in the air as he warned us about the swart gevaar. Nobody realised he was talking about Eskom. Now blow out the candle son, it is time for bed.”

“Will you tell me another fairytale tomorrow night, dad?’