Lights out: The Dark Ages come to SA
It is possible. Life without a cellphone. A day without a laptop. Surely it is, but not without pain. Life has not been the same since the robbers stole my tools of the trade. Someone’s phone rings and I search my pockets. There are no e-mails to read. Load shedding has prepared me to get used to the modern South African version of the Dark Ages.
Eskom justifies why South Africans have to live without electricity. The parastatal (a state owned corporation) will cut supply to consumers when other options at its disposal have been exhausted.
It is claimed through rationalising power cuts, all South Africans will suffer and benefit in an equal manner. Attempting to distribute uninterrupted electricity can cause damage which will cost billions of rands to resuscitate. Shortages on the electricity system unbalance the network, which can cause it to collapse. By rotating the load in a planned and controlled manner, the system remains stable.
The creation story from Genesis (1:1–2:2), which we read during the Easter Vigil, reminds us of how God put all created things for the benefit of humanity. And God said: “It’s good!” When God gifted us with the universe, he also commissioned us to be stewards of all created reality.
For Adam and Eve there was excess energy. But as their descendants outnumbered the stars of heaven the same energy is becoming depleted. Consumers do not always evaluate their choices until something drastic happens.
It was only when the government legislated against the free supply of plastic that we started thinking of plastic’s impact on our environment. Before the regulation of plastic our beautiful country was infested with gratis plastic bags detrimental to the future of the world.
Instead of blaming the government for the electricity crisis, as some do, let us evaluate how faithful we are to the stewardship of God’s creation. It is true that experts sometimes use difficult concepts such as “global warming” when warning us of things we should watch.
When social worker Sr Nkhensani Shibambu, of the Companions of St Angela, came to address our parishioners on family life, the sound system refused to budge. Those sitting at the back of the church struggled to hear her message. In contrast, those whom her voice reached were full of smiles, sighs, ululations and some tears. On that day the load shedding masters had determined who could and could not hear Sr Khens’ inspiring speech.
With the frequency of load shedding, some of us are getting used to speak without microphones. The bonus is that we are saving on our electricity bills. We are realising the capability of our natural voice. Each time we use less electricity we know some people elsewhere will have access to this scarce commodity.
Still, I can’t wait to have access to a cellphone and a laptop again. In our ministry today, it is difficult to go without these technologies. I wonder how St Peter after the resurrection managed to speak to 3000 people without modern technology.
We can’t go back to the Dark Ages. Let us pray that Eskom does not proceed to increase energy rates by the suggested 53%. This would make the poorest even poorer.
Instead let us share the scarce resources are at our disposal. We can use energy responsibly knowing there is tomorrow.
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