Eskom expects to implement various stages of load shedding over the weekend.
Stage 5 load shedding will be implemented between 4pm and 5am on Saturday morning followed by Stage 3 from 5am to 4pm.
This will be followed by Stage 5 once again until 5am with Stage 2 to follow on Sunday morning until 4pm.
Stage 4 will then be implemented until at least midnight.
On Friday afternoon, the power utility said unplanned breakdowns had rendered some 17 392MW of generating capacity unavailable coupled with a further 2940MW offline due to planned maintenance.
“Over the past 24 hours a generating unit each at Grootvlei, Hendrina and Kriel power stations were returned to service.
“In the same period, a generating unit at Camden [power station] and two generating units at Arnot power station were taken out of service due to breakdowns. Furthermore, the delay in returning to service at Arnot, Camden, Hendrina, Kendal, Matimba, Matla and Tutuka power stations continue to add to the current capacity constraints.
“The team is working tirelessly to ensure that generating units are returned to service as soon as possible,” said Eskom.
The utility thanked those South Africans who heed the call to use electricity sparingly and efficiently, including switching off geysers from 5pm to 9pm, to abate the pressure on the power scheme and avoid higher stages of load shedding. – SAnews.gov.za
Bad Badminton
Shebeen – an unlicensed bar [sha-been] These are unlicensed bars usually found in low-income suburbs located outside of the major towns and cities, more commonly known as ‘the townships’.
Raid Bucker
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”