This is what South Africa has looked like for the past two weeks. Power outages have been a regular thing over the last two weeks and folks down there are getting a little antsy. It's cause for worry, if you ask me. The continent's richest country having power outages, its gold mines having to close down as a result. What's next? A totally irreparable economy like their northern neighbor's?
The strange thing is, it's not just one or two areas in a city. Oh no, that would be too convenient. It's the WHOLE FREAKIN' COUNTRY. Right, now let's move back to the U.S. and for a moment imagine that situation happening here. Lights and electricity going out in say, L.A. Not for just an hour or two. Not for a day. BUT TWO WEEKS! Then spread that out. L.A., New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Dallas. People would be up in arms about it.
But not in South Africa. They only get up in arms and 'toy toy' in the streets if they are made to work five hours a day and pay taxes and not receive free education and public health. Shocking.
Africa's Titanic, she is sinking, fast.
4 comments:
Sorry, correction time, Mr Journo.
There HAVE been power cuts for 2 weeks, but not powerless 24-7 for 2 solid weeks.
It changes depending on what part of the country you're in.
Some unlucky people having been getting cut off for 2 hours a day.
Apparently some have had power cuts for as long as 2 or 3 days. Others get cut off 2 hours every three days. I have had one 2 hour cut in this time.
Most people have not had to go without power for more than 2 - 3 hours.
Africa is a fuck up, but the darkest thing about Africa is still the west's ignorance of it!
Your in responsible journalism.
WM
Oh, and correction no. 2. People ARE up in arms! (Not literally!) It's a big deal here, for everyone, with a lot of jobs of ordinary people at stake.
There's big kak going down, and the people responsible are being crapped on, and their faces splashed over the front pages of the media, with big exposure on TV.
Actually, in a way, the electricity shortage affects the poorer people less, because they have fewer electrical appliances, and they use more gas and fire and parafin. But their jobs are affected. If factory production slows down, workers lose their jobs. So people are very concerned.
The goverment may deserve your scorn, but the average South African doesn't.
Slap on wrist.
OK dude, one last thing!
No one is 'made to work' 5 hours or any other number of hours a day. Jesus. We all wish there WERE 5 hours work a day for every person. If only! Everyone in this country who has a job knows how lucky they are. There is high unemployment and people are BEGGING for work, so I'm confused by that one.
Are these opinions inherited from your staunch Nat dad?
lol my staunch Nat dad? well, him and a family friend. she writes to me and tells me how wicked things are down there. she says the "dark greens" don't like to work and bitch and moan when they have to. i haven't lived in darkest africa for close on ten years now so i go by what folks still there tell me. another friend in joburg told me "DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT EVEN CONTEMPLATE RETURNING. THE WHEELS ARE FALLING OFF THIS WAGON."
I need to go back and read my post - did I say powerless for 24-7 for 2 solid weeks? I didn't mean to imply that - just that there have been hectic power outages (especially in Durban) for up to 2 hours a day every day for the past 2 weeks.
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