"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Nkandle

How many of the readers of this  blog have heard about Nkandla?  Our presidents (and his family's) retirement plan?

I also don't know how many people overseas have heard about the load shedding (enforced blackouts) taking place in this country as a result of our power utility (Escom) not having the foresight / planning to anticipate demand in future years, and not maintaining their existing resources.

It's hectic.  Power has been going off for 2 hours once a day, twice a day or even three times a day - depending on the strain on the power system, and their collective power generating capabilities.

It even affects us - as our ISP's radio towers go down. (Thankfully, we still have our smartphones so we're not totally disconnected...)  We're very grateful though, that we don't experience the complete blackouts that the majority of the country has to suffer through.  Thank goodness for being off grid.

I saw this somewhere recently and thought it particularly apt...

N'candle - a play on Nklandla.

That's basically the situation.  Candle power rules for all those who don't have an alternative source of power.

Btw, on googling various images of Nkandla, I notice the "retirement dwelling" has no visible solar panels...  That was shortsighted of the architect.
Posted by Dani at 15:23:00
Labels:

16 comments:

  1. Dawn7 July 2015 at 16:53

    I hadnt heard of any of it, they are keeping that quiet perhaps not to worry the greedy power consumers of the western world in case they worry about what is going to happen some time in the not to distant future

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani7 July 2015 at 16:56

      Dawn - Perhaps they should be told, so that they can prepare...? How many nuclear power plants, or coal fired power stations can they build before something goes horribly wrong?

      Wave, wind and solar rule!!! :D Especially with the improved battery storage which is being developed.

      Delete
  2. Chickpea7 July 2015 at 19:33

    I have a friend in South Africa who updates us regularly on the load shedding, drives her mad! Sadly the west sees fracking as the answer to our future power problems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani8 July 2015 at 09:17

      Chickpea - I can imagine. The effect on the economy is also hectic - businesses having to close down for a couple of hours a day / equipment that suddenly shuts down mid-cycle, etc.

      Fracking is NOT the solution - grrrrrrr! It is the easy way out, but the frigging ramifications of fracking are humungeous - long term. It is also news to me that this planet has surplus fresh water to waste on fracking...!

      Delete
  3. Diana Studer7 July 2015 at 20:09

    touch wood ... Cape Town seems to have a more stable power supply at the moment. Still hope we can add PV panels one day, maybe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani8 July 2015 at 09:21

      Diana -I have read that CT is able to make a plan! Well done CT!!

      The day you get your PV installed is the day you taste freedom :D Our entire system cost us R60 000 - and we're covered for the next 20 - 25 years at an (amortised) constant cost of +/- R200.00 / month

      Delete
  4. Sue7 July 2015 at 21:14

    Hubby and I have talked about getting alternative power.........and that's as far as it ever goes. I know this is something we will come to regret.
    You are so smart to go off grid as you have. We in the west , who consume SO MUCH, are very unprepared. It is scary to think.........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani8 July 2015 at 09:23

      Sue - If you can afford to even supplement your power with solar / wind / water you'll be ensuring some independence / continuity.

      Yeah, I'm afraid those who consume the most are potentially in for a rude awakening in the (perhaps not too distant) future...

      Delete
  5. Kirsty7 July 2015 at 22:48

    I hadn't heard of any of this Dani, load shedding is a foreign term to me. We've just come back from Devon which has a lot of wind turbines. They are starting to apply for permission to put them up near me. You wouldn't believe the fuss about it! In our family we say if you don't use electricity then you can complain about them, if not then shut up and be grateful for green power.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani8 July 2015 at 09:25

      Kirsty - Oh, you're my kind of lady... :) Yup, I understand that there are pro's and con's to wind power, but if you want electricity then what right do you have to complain / dictate how that is provided - ESPECIALLY if it's GREEN power??

      Delete
  6. Diana Studer7 July 2015 at 22:51

    off topic. Do you have any experience of moringa, Dani?
    http://transformsa.co.za/2012/08/moringa-a-green-platinum-mine-in-limpopo/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani8 July 2015 at 09:27

      Diana - I haven't - but thanks for the link. I will investigate further... :)

      Delete
  7. Kev Alviti7 July 2015 at 23:11

    I hadn't heard any of that! amazing what we don;t hear when your government doesn't want us to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani8 July 2015 at 09:31

      Kev - The key (and common) word is corruption...

      If any government decided to go the open, straight and honest path in all their dealings, then they would be a shining example of how to do it right. Then perhaps this planet may not be in the position it is now finding itself...

      Delete
  8. Tony6 August 2015 at 00:08

    What/who do you use for your ISP? We've been thinking of moving out of town for many years. I work from home (internet based), and our three boys are home-schooled, so a country lifestyle would be fantastic, but I have to have broadband internet to be able to work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani6 August 2015 at 12:50

      Tony - Welcome - thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Our ISP is provided by Wispernet ( http://www.wispernet.co.za/ ) If you drop me an e-mail I can send you their charges sheet.

      It sounds like the transition from town to rural would be a breeze for you - with your kids home-schooled. There are so many benefits to living out of town...

      Where are you thinking of relocating to?

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment - it makes my day and removes the "loneliness' of sitting at my screen blogging supposedly to myself ;) I try and reply as quickly as possible so please forgive me if sometimes my response is delayed.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)