If you grew up in South Africa, it may be an obvious non-surprise when you’re having fun with friends or family in front of the TV or social media when, suddenly, the fun takes a dark turn without touching the light switch.

In the dark, the question arises: What should we do now? 

Fortunately, as a South African, you are not ‘phased’ by this question because having fun during load-shedding has become more of a survival skill than an occasional struggle.

The sad and dark truth is that there are several ways to keep entertained throughout the lightless journey, some ways you may even have used yourself once or twice (not in your lifetime, of course, perhaps ten times a week with load-shedding):

1. Everyone in South Africa is familiar with a famous deck of cards or board game somewhere in a sibling’s closet. If you don’t have a board game at home, were you ever a child in South Africa? Of course, they pose a risk of destroying a family with one wrong or cheating ‘move’, but hey, it’s to pass the time for the lights to shine again! 
2. Growing up, I built mini houses out of couch cushions to pass the time, with or without the lights on. It may not always have been a castle, but it sure did get the time going. Yes, you may suffer the wrath of your South African mother for bending the couch cushions, but if the foundation is strong enough, you may survive it! 
3. The third way to stay entertained is more for those who have that special someone. Sure, you always tell them they have stars in their eyes to sound romantic, but looking at the universe in them until the end of load-shedding for maybe two hours may make you look a bit creepy. So, take that special someone on a romantic picnic with candles in your living room because we all know it’s not that safe at night, not even on your lawn.
4. In a similar vein to the third, the fourth way is more focused on those with people they can call friends, preferably fun ones. What is to stop you from inviting friends over with the load-shedding schedule at hand? Let them come over while the traffic lights are still on, and get the drinks and snacks ready for a friendship date by candlelight or flashlight.
5. Inspired by the column of one of my colleagues, Zita Goldswain, where she dared the venture to Balmoral for some light ghost hunting, why not do the same with friends or siblings? But, instead of going out into the South African world at night, you tell scary stories around the camp ‘candle’, which can lead to another way to stay entertained ‒ camping in the living room.
6. Not in the mood for camping? Go on a treasure hunt in your own home to see if you can find the coin you throw down the hall in the dark. It may sound boring, but looking for a 10c coin in the dark will help get the time going.
7. For those not completely alone (maybe people-wise) because they have pets, grab the little or big fluffy beings closer and cuddle, snuggle or play with them. They will enjoy it, and you will pass the time while getting those ‘petly’ endorphins going. 
8. For those who dare to venture into the dark, why not see how well you will be able to survive in the dark in your own home? How? Walk around your house in complete darkness and see if you require as much light (as parents swear you never do) to get from one point to the other. 
9. For the boring or tired ones after a long working day: Nap!
10. If the batteries allow it, call your family or other loved ones and tell them of the above lightless shenanigans you’ve been up to!