Be the hero during load-shedding

With a high probability of rolling blackouts which may kick in this month, you could save yourself the trouble of being grumpy about the situation and instead take advantage of this time that you could spend with your family with fewer distractions.

Well, hate it or love it, Eskom is offering you the chance to be the hero.

Here are a few ideas that could earn you brownie points with your kids or some fun-adult time with your partner:

For your special lady friend

Light it up: Get off work early, set up some nice candles just in case you find yourself in the dark tonight. If all the candles you have in your home are the long white stick ones, this is definitely not what we are talking about – women love to know you made an effort.

Make a meal: We would suggest you cook something, but Eskom could hit while you in the middle of boiling your pasta so we say rather make a tasty salad or even a few tasty sandwiches.

Run her a bath: You may regret it in the morning but she’ll love you long-time for this one. Use all the hot water left in the geyser and run her a long bubble bath, and don’t forget to set up a few of the scented candles you got earlier in there as well.

For your family

Many of us are still suffering from a holiday hangover. With Eskom’s unpredictable blackouts, the family bonding part of your holidays doesn’t necessarily have to be over.

Call the house ahead of time and ask to have some meat taken out of the freezer and spiced. If you don’t have any leftover charcoal from December, then head past a garage on your way home and stock up. Get home, start a braai and invite your entire family to sit outside with you and enjoy the South African warm evening weather. It may just be the last hurrah before the kids head back to school.