Loadshedding

Good morning. I think by now you must have received thousands of complaints on the subject of loadshedding. I don't know about the other regions but KZN do what they want when it comes to loadshedding schedules. It is bad enough that the government did not maintain the existing power stations so that loadshedding became a way of life in South Africa. As a Sassa Pensioner I cannot replace my electronics when they break because of loadshedding. We get a schedule yes, so that one might at least try to switch off things in order to keep them from being damaged, but they don't always, often it just goes off whenever. I am busy with washing and suddenly the power goes off. A week ago my fridge broke down, I bought it second hand and previously it also broke and I had to go with the cheapest and the first one said it was working and after he left it was still not working and I could not get a hold of him. The second said he needed parts so I had to give him money for the parts and he disappeared with my money. The third time was lucky and it worked and I could not eat for a month and nobody wants to help with food parcels, they never have any food here. Then my fan broke and on a hot day AND loadshedding I feel like I want to die. Because of all this and I cannot afford to have my fridge repaired again, I simply do not have the money and the government will not repair my fridge or get me a new fan because it is not their fault. So who is responsible I ask? The previous government ran like clockwork because they maintained the existing power stations. So no cold water to drink and no fan. SASSA pensioners can not buy on HP, rightly so because I simply cannot pay any monthly installments and unless one have a sponsor to get into a decent old age home or have money set aside we can hardly live. I myself am now a vegan living on soup, rice or pap. We can no longer afford meat or vegetables and if we do not share in a small wendy or cotttage we cannot pay rent or eat a meagre meal once a day. If you want a food parcel it is forms to fill in and at the end of the day they say they have no food now and you never hear from them again. We are so malnourished that the clinic has to give us vitamins. Come on people, have a heart, all old people worked hard and I think we deserve at least a decent small place to stay which is affordable and you have your privacy and have your little cat or small doggie and still live. We are now mostly vegans like myself because that is all we can afford. We can no longer afford meat or vegetables and if we do not share in a small wendy or cotttage we cannot pay rent either and there are hundreds if not thousands of us. Just read on Facebook - there is a group called pensioners and you will read similar stories. When I go to the clinic which I have to do and I get a lift from a friend at 3am (believe me most people do not like to take someone anywhere at 3am) so that I can see the doctor first then I get out about 10h00 the patients talk amongst each other and all have similar situations with the exception of a few. I cannot drive anymore - doctors orders as I may have a heart attack, black out or have a stroke behind the wheel and endanger other people (not that I have a car anymore) so it is difficult to get to the clinic. I have serious health problems and I am on Warfarin for life so I have to go twice at 3am, once for the blood sample and the next to see the doctor for the results and to get medication . Now homeowners take advantage of the situation and just slap in a sink, a ****py shower and maybe one cupboard in the kitchen and bob's your uncle - there is exception of course where people go to the trouble of making it more comfortable but they charge astronomical prices for these these little rentals in the backyard and you cannot take your companion (a little dog or cat). In KZN you do not get any stoves already installed like in Gauteng, no, you have to buy your own and then they call it a "cottage". Average price is approximately R5500 per month (sometimes water and lights included). Sometimes you are lucky and get a cottage for R4000 but still have to pay water and lights. Some people really want to help and make their outside rooms or garage really comfortable but it still comes down to money. I understand the electricity rates are so high that most are forced to use their outside room or whatever to afford to pay their electricity.

There is Government housing but some have a waiting list of up to five years, by then I already passed on. I myself worked most of my life and paid my taxes like all working people and in turn the government will assist in reasonable housing schemes and still help with taking you to the clinic and give you 3 meals a day or even just one meal a day when you reach retirement. Now that is only a myth for SASSA pensioners. Only good old age homes are doing things like that nowadays but only if you can afford it like rich people or people who saved for their old age. I myself thought I was investing my little pension because I was not the breadwinner and was ****med out of it and I hear a lot of stories like my own. I am on my own now and I only get my SASSA pension. I see many people are now coming forward trying to better our lives and we THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS, I hope I will still live to see it. Good day to all. I hope they will not come and cart me off to jail because I spoke my mind. Till next time and to the people at Hellopeter a blessed Christmas for you and yours.