Load Shedding in Cape Town
South Africa is currently going through an energy crisis and Eskom the power supplier has implemented a system of "load shedding". Basically what it is regular scheduled power cuts that's suppose to last up to 2 hours to alleviate electricity demand. This should ensures that we do not have total blackouts throughout the city or country.
South Africa's energy is supplied by Eskom, who over the years have had several problems. This has definitely impacted not only on daily life of South Africans but also tourists.
The government has now stepped in and are working with Eskom to find a solution to the energy crisis, but it is still many years of power cuts to come. Eskom has also started the process of building two new power station to assist in meeting the electricity demand.
The best way to deal with the power cuts is just to take it in your stride and do as all Capetonians do "CHILL"
So you are sitting with no electricity in a foreign land what now? The most important bit of advice I can offer you is DO NOT PANIC. Take it as an adventure and not as an inconvenience. This is Africa after all!!!
Drive cautiously at the Robots as they will not be working (by the way traffic lights are called robots in SA!)
Remember all robots become 4 way stops, stop at all junctions and wait your turn
If you are able to stop and enjoy your surroundings then do so
Several restaurants operate on gas or have generators that can be used during this time.
Save electricity where you can by putting lights off, machines off standby mode when not being used.
If you cannot think of anything else to do .... just go to bed??