Loadshedding Is Like That One Ex — Always Coming Back Uninvited

Here we go again. Just when you thought Eskom might finally give us a break, stage 6 hits like a slap in the face — and suddenly, your phone’s on 5% and the lights are gone. It’s like that toxic ex who shows up unannounced, ruins your vibe, and leaves you staring at a dark room wondering what you did wrong.

Honestly, loadshedding has become part of the Mzansi lifestyle. We don’t just deal with it; we expect it. Like clockwork, every few weeks, Eskom decides to remind us who’s boss. The power goes off, your fridge turns into a sauna, and the whole country collectively screams “WHY NOW??”

Small businesses are struggling to keep the lights on (literally) while trying to keep the tills ringing. Students are back to studying by candlelight like it’s the dark ages. And relationships? Forget Netflix and chill — it’s more like “torchlight and awkward silence.” Imagine trying to have a deep convo or play 30 Seconds when your phone keeps dying. Not exactly romantic.

And the excuses? Eskom’s tweets are the new “it’s not you, it’s me.” We get a polite “kindly take note” and then bam — hours of darkness. No apologies, no real solutions — just more reminders that we’re at their mercy.

But here’s the thing: South Africans are tough as nails. We don’t just survive loadshedding, we adapt and hustle harder. By 5pm, everyone’s charging their devices, cooking like it’s a feast, and stocking up on snacks because nobody wants to be caught hungry in the dark. We make use of every available battery, every candle, and every charged power bank like they’re treasures.

The street vendors keep selling, the taxis keep moving, and somehow, the WiFi keeps barely holding up to stream just enough TikToks to forget about the blackout. That’s Mzansi spirit — no matter how many times the power goes out, our energy never dies.

So, if you’re reading this during stage 6, salute. You’ve probably fought for one bar of signal and maybe even considered a generator purchase (if you have R50k lying around). But until Eskom gets their act together, all we can do is laugh, light a candle, and pray the power’s back before your next load shedding cycle.