WATCH: ‘Eskom, our laptops are like fridges’ – student’s plea goes viral

The effects of stage 6 load shedding are felt across all of South Africa, from students to businesses, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. Frustrated netizens are turning to comedy in an attempt to get Eskom’s attention.

A TikTok user known as Gift Kelton Bozekana shared a viral clip on the streaming platform and found an accord with thousands of South Africans.

A student’s plea

Eskom, Eskom…

His message is succinct: “Eskom, Eskom, our laptops are like fridges. They only work when they are plugged in only”.

“Hayi, we’re gonna fail this year, betunana“, he concluded.

The viral video had been liked more than 61 500 times and accumulated more than 700 comments, with many residents sharing his frustration.

Watch: ‘Our laptops are like fridges’

@giftbozekana1

♬ original sound – Gift Kelton Bozekana

Clearly, he was not alone in his struggle. One of his followers said they couldn’t finish their assignments on time, while another added:

“Our laptops are on life support.”

“Bruuh this is my only stress right now”, one follower lamented, while another said they can’t even use a battery replacement due to the built-in battery.

Many South Africans are without power between eight and ten hours a day, while some regions have been without electricity for days, if not weeks.

Stage 6 load shedding

Load shedding stage 6 was implemented on Sunday, “following the tripping of a generation unit each at Kusile and Kriel power stations”, Eskom tweeted at the time.

And if that isn’t bad enough, the ailing parastatal warned of even higher load shedding stages as the grid remains severely constrained.

Meanwhile, Eskom Chief Operating Officer Andre Oberholzer said stage 6 load shedding “will remain implemented until sufficient generation units are returned to service”.

He could not confirm when the rolling blackouts will be discontinued.

NOW READ: Eskom warns South Africans to brace for higher stages of load shedding

Eskom’s load shedding tips

The power utility reminds South Africans to keep laptops, power banks and mobile devices fully charged.

Invest in a 3G internet dongle or modem to keep connected (those lucky enough to afford it).

Eskom also said the “greatest cause of damage to equipment from a power outage is from electrical surges”.

Therefore, install a surge protection device if you can to minimise the damage, and remember to unplug computer power cables from sockets when not in use.

Preparing for #loadshedding:

👉Check your schedule regularly so you have enough time to prepare.
👉Avoid power surges. Switch off electrical equipment to reduce risk of damage caused when the power returns
👉 Keep emergency lights, cellphones and laptops charged pic.twitter.com/UPipaFXzXk

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) September 18, 2022