Sandiso Phaliso
Load shedding is a scourge to all South Africans. It threatens millions of livelihoods, it upsets the economy, and it makes life difficult. But there are some to whom it is now life-threatening.
Unako Kewana was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease four years ago. It is a condition that requires that she needs supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day. The source of her oxygen is a cylinder that needs to be plugged into a power source all the time.
The family of the 19-year-old from Mdantsane in East London live in fear that as load shedding hours become longer, Unako’s oxygen becomes more likely to run out.
For two weeks now the country has been moving between stage 4 and 6, with a further possibility of stage 8, with Eskom blaming the power cuts of striking workers and their failing generation power.
When the power cuts out, Unako struggles to breathe. She is dependent on the oxygen cylinder that requires electricity to function – and the family can’t afford a back-up power supply.
“Because I don’t have gas or portable oxygen, it’s important to stay plugged in at all times,” she said.
During the recent load shedding she has had to call in an ambulance almost every day to help her.
“It becomes a life threatening situation. I experience shortness of breath and panic attacks,” she said.
“Load shedding, especially stage 6 affects me greatly. I am very worried because my life is at risk.”
Unako is desperately asking for assistance to buy a second cylinder because she can’t afford to buy one with her monthly disability grant. Her mother, Nontobeko Kewana, 41, is also dependent on social grants after she suffered a stroke in 2016.
