The end of the world, doomsday, the second coming and biological warfare all seem too far-fetched to believe for the majority of individuals. However, many people are convinced that the end is near.
These people have become known as ‘preppers’ and the way in which they prepare for the end of the world has made them the laughing stock of many people.
While most people are shopping for the next week, these preppers are storing enough food to feed themselves and their loved ones for several months. They store petrol, water, batteries, torches, weapons, rope and a list of survival tools in preparation for a complete breakdown of law and order.
These people know the quickest routes out of an area and often buy plots of land in far away places where they can hide from any threats.
Load shedding has, no doubt, led to the birth of many new preppers. The fear of a total collapse of society due to a blackout has become even more real for South Africans. Although this is more of a myth than an actuality, it has caused a lot of distress in our country.
Without electricity, we cannot pump water, transport petrol or have food delivered to grocery stores. Even more daunting is the fact that we would be unable to phone the police or the hospital.
In essence, it will be a nightmare and terror will, in fact, reign over our nation. Our electrical fences, alarm systems and gates will no longer function and we will be completely vulnerable.
It has, however, been concluded by experts that there is no possibility of this happening – at least for now.
Many organisations have put extensive plans into place to prepare for the end of time, and South Africa is home to one of the largest prepper organisations in the world.
When one considers all the terrifying things that can go wrong in the world, storing 100 tins of baked beans seems like a good idea. I think that if the end does, in fact, arrive, the preppers – who have been so heavily mocked – will have the last laugh.
