Students are preparing for a cold, powerless winter

As the cold winter months approach, renewed loadshedding recently has raised concern among students about how they will cope with their studies, and with the cold, in winter.

In a press release last week, Eskom confirmed the possibility of loadshedding during the months to come. “We are currently experiencing high evening peaks, which is typical of the winter demand period. Should there be any further deterioration in the generation capacity, loadshedding may be necessary, most likely between 17:00 p.m. and 22:00 p.m. during the winter period,” Eskom said in the press release.

Eskom asked the public to continue using electricity sparingly.

According to Louis Jacobs, the director of corporate communication at the North-West University (NWU), the university will rely on generators for electricity during loadshedding on its campuses.

The university is also exploring alternative methods to continue with emergency power during power outages. “We are busy with a project focused on solar systems as alternative to generators,” he said. This option, however, is expensive and is not yet possible to use as an alternative to power outages.

This means that students who live and study on campuses, will not be affected by the loadshedding. However, students who are studying remotely are worried.

“Eskom should identify future problems and fix them to prevent power outages,” said Simoné Stassen, (22), final year LLB student at the NWU Potchefstroom campus. She said that being proactive is better than being reactive.

Many students are struggling to stay productive during loadshedding. “I take naps, prepare food and exercise to try to stay productive,” Stassen said.

threestreamsmedia uploaded a questionnaire to Instagram to ask for comments from users about loadshedding. One respondent said loadshedding in winter makes the period seem dark and cold. “It sounds like living in a cave, are we back in the stone age?” 

Sharika Geldenhuys (21), an honours student in corporate communication at the NWU, said that South Africans have become used to loadshedding. “Electricity is supposed to be a basic necessity, we have adjusted to an environment without electricity completely, it is not normal,” she said. Geldenhuys added that she stocked up on blankets for winter. “Most students live in buildings surrounded by other buildings, it could get quite cold without electricity.” 

Kéan van Rensburg, (19), a nutrition student at the NWU Potchefstroom campus, said “a power outage is an inconvenience, but it is sometimes necessary. Eskom is not as developed as it should be, as South Africa is a developing country.”