Powering through the Darkness: Addressing Household Energy Solutions during Load-shedding in South Africa

We are delighted to share with you a recap of the enlightening event organized for our library staff, titled “Powering through the Darkness: Addressing Household Energy Solutions during Load-shedding in South Africa”. The event took place on 4 July 2023, a Tuesday morning from 07:30 - 09:00 in the Merensky 2 Library Auditorium. The event aimed to shed light on the critical issue of load-shedding and its impact on households in South Africa, while exploring viable energy solutions.

The event was organized due to the fact that load-shedding has been a persistent issue in South Africa due to a strained national power grid. As a result, the Department of Library Services felt that we needed an expert to explore the challenges faced by households during load-shedding and propose viable energy solutions to alleviate the impact on our daily lives. Below is a summary of the event.  

Event Overview:

Load-shedding, the “controlled” rolling blackouts carried out by the national electricity provider, ESKOM, has been a pressing issue in South Africa. They disrupt daily life and affect various sectors heavily. The event aimed to provide insights into this issue, particularly focusing on its impact on households and exploring innovative energy solutions that can empower individuals and families to overcome the challenges posed by this darkness.

Key Speaker:

An expert in the field of energy solutions and sustainable living graced the event as the guest speaker. He shared his knowledge, experience, and insights to inspire and educate the attendees. Dr Mwana wa kalaga Mbukani (Karl), delved into the political and economic implications of load-shedding and discussed various strategies for energy-efficient living. He also highlighted the social impact of load-shedding on vulnerable communities and how grassroots efforts can contribute to collective energy resilience.

Dr Karl spoke further about a variety of issues impacting load-shedding in households as well as initiatives designed to address these issues. He mentioned that the solutions to the load-shedding problems can be categorized into two groups: long-term/global and short-term/local issues. He discussed and identified three local solutions (uninterruptible power systems, backup generators and grid-connected PV systems). These are the most used load-shedding solutions in households.

The event sparked engaging conversations about the challenges of load-shedding and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. Attendees actively participated in the question-and-answer sessions with the speaker.

Dr. Mbukani (Karl) giving presentation.

Awareness and Education: The event deepened our understanding of the impact of load-shedding and the broader energy crisis in South Africa. The knowledge gained will guide us in making informed decisions for our households.

Empowerment: By exploring alternative energy solutions, attendees were empowered to take proactive steps toward reducing their reliance on conventional power sources.

Dr. Mbukani (Karl) receiving a gift from Marriette Mapheto (Information Specialist).