What a wonderful and powerful use of the internet - to create a groudswell of citizenry action in response to a systemic problem (not this is a new problem mind you - ask anyone in the townships that were off the grid previously about what they though about load shedding).

One of the key things here as I see it though, is not to individualize the problem. We should all be reducing our carbon footprint as much as we can - not simply because we are living in a country that is currently facing a power capacity issue. Obviously the orientation that this page has taken - addresses those individual with higher incomes who have the ability to own the appliances to turn off in the first place. We need a system that addresses the power needs of ALL - in a way that doesn't destroy future generations environment.

South Africa should be using this experience to put itself in the forefront of sustainable power generation. The capacity for solar power generation in this country is one of the best in the world and the business opportunities are rife for forward thinking people.

Let's understand our role within the system here and make sure that we correct the problems so that ALL people have power in South Africa. Helping to switch off your geyser is but one step in the right direction. Let's keep the pressure on so that we don't get patchwork solutions that take us backwards rather than forwards (ie simply building more and more coal power plants).

Cheers,

-Matt