Winter is coming

Winter is coming and just like the popular Game of Thrones series, there are some things that we don’t look forward to. They have the White Walkers and we have power outages, shack fires, and no rain. Personally I think it is worse because at least snow zombies can be taken care of with a sturdy sword or axe and a good swing.

The problems that winter brings to eMalahleni are not as straight forward or as exciting. Power outages are expected because of all the pressure on the grid from heaters and so forth, which could lead to an entire area being shut down because we all heat up our socks in the morning before putting them on. No? I am I the only one that does that?

Anyway, living in a city means that electricity is almost a necessity as much as anything else. Think about things like cooking, keeping food fresh in the fridge, keeping warm on a chilly night, and being able to see in the dark. Sure we don’t need it like we need oxygen, or water but live grinds to a screeching halt without electricity.

With the unnerving national news that Eskom has their work cut out for them this winter, I can just imagine some people getting the short end of the extension cord. Regardless of that fact we should still try and do our part to reduce electricity usage.

I mean if the government asked everyone to donate a stainless steel pot to make swords in defence of an invading horde of snow zombies things then I will gladly be the first to drop off every piece of metal in my kitchen including the sink. I don’t mind eating with my hands. “Just stop the invasion!” I would cry.

I feel a certain level of desperation here as well. If Eskom asks me to switch off a light after leaving a room I will turn off every light in the house and get everyone to huddle in one room, “Just keep the power on!” I would also cry.

Let us not be left in the dark this winter and by the way I don’t even watch Game of Thrones, but I hear it is kind of a medium sized deal?