Load Shedding and Local Businesses: LaWindpomp

Hello all!

In my last post, I overviewed South Africa’s electricity crisis. Now, it’s time that we talk about the impact load shedding has on local businesses.

During my stay in the Limpopo province, I visited Marken’s only restaurant/pub, LaWindpomp. The rugged landscape and interior of this establishment screams of authentic Afrikaans culture. Let’s just say I stuck out like a sore thumb in my Nike shorts and Adidas Superstars.

In the main dining area, you’ll find animal hides and locally-crafted furniture available for purchase. On the menu, you’ll find traditional dishes such as the spicy minced meat known as bobotie and South Africa’s “Boerewors” sausage. Naturally, I ordered a Hawaiian pizza.

While dining at LaWindpomp I had the opportunity to meet one of the owners, Pierre.

As an American new to “load shedding”, I had a few questions about how his business operates around the scheduled blackouts.

“Really there is nothing we can do. We have the generator but can only operate at 50 percent capacity,” says Pierre.

LaWindpomp loses business during load shedding because they cannot offer the full menu or take credit card payments, which opens the “menu” to locals wanting to drink, eat and be merry on a tab. A logistical nightmare!

“The kitchen cook steaks with the gas grill but cannot offer pizza, fries, onion rings or anything else,” explains Pierre.

This means that a customer’s options are limited to steak and salad during blackouts. Oh, and the full bar.

Basically, the generator is there to keep the lights and fans running. The Wi-Fi works during load shedding but card payments cannot be accepted because service provider towers are down during this time. This means turning away customers without cash or those not willing to stay and wait it out for the full menu.

I decided to swing by LaWindpomp again but this time during stage four load shedding. I figured there was nothing else to do during the blackout, so why not grab a glass of wine and experience the local vibe?

T-minus 30 minutes until load shedding hits! The following sign was posted at the entrance to remind customers of the limited menu and payment options.

We were only in the dark for about two minutes before the generator kicked on. After my first glass of wine, I’d completely forgotten that the full menu wasn’t available and I was craving another Hawaiian pizza. Oh, the load shedding struggle.

During my hangout at LaWindpomp that evening, I was introduced to Ms. Pienaar, a small business owner. Her at-home leatherworks business takes a harder hit than LaWindpomp.

Check out my next post to hear what Ms. Pienaar has to say!