Nightshifts become nightmares during load shedding
While a lot has been said and written about how businesses struggle during this time, not as much has been heard from people who work during these load shedding hours.
If it were not enough to be in the middle of a global pandemic, South Africans, in particular, must also endure the dreaded rotational power cuts known simply as load shedding.
Eskom, the country’s main power utility implemented stage 2 load shedding Thursday, 21 January, at Four- hour rotations (recently reduced to 2) to supplement what the utility said, was a strain on its system. While a lot has been said and written about how businesses struggle during this time, not as much has been heard from people who work during these load shedding hours.
Tladi Nyareli – a security guard, is one such employee. He said during load shedding hours, his night shifts turn to the stuff of nightmares. “It’s harder when it hits at night,” Nyareli said.
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“The night shifts become nightmares, honestly, load shedding invites chancers. It’s a big area that I have to patrol. It’s easier when the lights – I can see everything clearly and report immediately if something looks fishy.
“A lot can happen in that four hours of darkness. It opens a chance for criminals to try their luck,” he said.
Mandisa Chauke another employee, who works at a salon said because she is paid per customer, during load shedding, she barely makes any income. “It’s a tough time for us because I am paid per customer, when there is lead shedding that means a shortage of customers, no one will risk getting their hair messed up due to load shedding.
“I can’t even make a budget because I don’t know how how much money I will make or lose this week, Eskom did offer some relief, reducing the load shedding hours from 4 to 2 in parts of Gauteng.”
City Power, however, has insisted that its customers will remain on a four-hour load shedding schedule the City said in a statement last week.
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