It seems the whole of Southern Africa has retreated to the Dark Ages – literally.
In short, there is not enough electricity being generated – in the entire region – to meet demand.
There are many theories and rumours about why this has happened, ranging from ineptitude, to not enough rain to feed the rivers providing the hydro-electric power, to sub-standard equipment supplied during a dodgy tender deal. I suspect all are true to some extent but no-one is prepared to shed any light (sorry) on the matter and tell us what is really going on.
What this means is that we are now being subjected to load shedding. In my case, for six days a week we have no electricity for eight hours a day and on the seventh day – fingers crossed – the electricity does not go off at all. Last week it was only five hours off for five days of the week, so it is getting worse: the poor folk in Lusaka are enduring ten-hour cuts, with a fourteen hour cut one day a week, so I am thankful I don’t live there!
This makes keeping up to date with work – and more importantly, blogging! – very difficult and until we can make a plan with a generator and/or solar power both are going to be a bit sketchy and intermittent.
Any Zimbabweans reading this will be wondering what I am moaning about – they have dealt with severe load shedding for the last fifteen years (some are lucky if they receive two hours electricity supply a day) – and I apologise. But having thought I had left all that behind me I am taking a while to re-adjust.
In the mean time, here are my entries for this week’s Which Way Challenge.
Once a week Cee from Cee’s Photography Blog runs a Which Way Photo Challenge – everyone is welcome to take part. You can read the rules for the challenge here.
Great photos for this challenge. Thanks for playing.
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Thank you Cee 🙂 it was nice to be able to play!
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Very familiar photos, I must say. We used to go to Hot Springs a lot in the 90s, and often took a trip to Birchenough Bridge.
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We stayed at Hot Springs a few times. First when I was a child in Rhodesia days and then again when I had children of my own, also in the ’90’s – they had done it up again very nicely.
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Yes, that’s when we enjoyed going also, unfortunately it was ‘taken over’ after that, and I believe it has since been closed, though the previous owners now live in Harare and run a restaurant.
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It’s such a shame. Those previous owners had quite a job renovating – it was in quite a state! I hope their new venture in Harare is successful. Do you know what the restaurant is called?
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It is called Theos, 167 Enterprise Road, on the way to Chisipite.
http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2012/09/30/eating-out-theoretically-its-theos/
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Thank you. If I ever visit there again I will be sure to pop in 🙂
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Great photos. I especially like the cat!
The load shedding sounds dreadful – does your electricity bill also reduce?
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It should come down – and that creates a new problem: the electricity supply company’s income is reduced, so they will be even less able to maintain the system.
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Sounds like a vicious circle. 😦
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Unfortunately it is. We are hoping for good rains this year!
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The last photo with the cats in the awaiting payment basket is quite cute and odd at the same time. Sorry to hear about your hydro problems.
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They are cute, aren’t they?
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Interesting post and love the photos, especially the cats awaiting payment 😀 Good luck with the power cuts
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An awful situation over electricity supply, and load shedding must be hard to bear! It certainly puts our internet problems into perspective. Great photos – as always – which bring South Africa to life. 🙂
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I do find it very frustrating! Piet has installed the generator now so hopefully I will soon be back on track with blogging (once I’ve caught up with work, of course 😉 ).
I’m glad you liked the pictures, thank you.
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Good pictues, El. The cat was great. They do love to climb into containers don’t they. We have load shedding in Pune also, but not so much in the city. With this poor monsoon, the load shedding may increase. It’s reserved for most Thursdays as of now. People in rural areas suffter much more. There are also small, unscheduled outages.
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Load shedding: the bane of my life! Seems it’s a World-wide problem that’s not going to go away in a hurry.
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Pingback: Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015 Week #36 | Cee's Photography
Congratulations! I have selected this post to be featured on Cee’s Which Way Challenge.
http://ceenphotography.com/2015/09/09/cees-which-way-challenge-2015-week-36/
I hope you are having a wonderful week.
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Thank you very much Cee! I am delighted to have been featured 🙂
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Great shots and look slick the kitty has found a comfy place for a nap..
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It’s amazing how cats can make any place look comfy 🙂
Thank you for dropping by.
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Love your last photo!
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Me too – thank you 🙂
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Enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for the visit.
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