Because of Eskom’s inadequacy, farmers are being prevented from irrigating their crops, which could lead to a decline in crop yield.

So, hypothetically, in a worst case scenario, there might not actually be ingredients for your favourite restaurant to cook.

The Western Cape fruit canning industry is taking strain, too.

Wiehan Victor, CEO of the Canning Fruit Producers Association, said fruit canning producers, who are currently in the process of canning apricots, have a window period of only three to four weeks per year to harvest and to supply jobs.

They’re currently seeing about 2 000 tons of apricots a day.

A cold chain must be maintained when working with perishable products. The cold chain is currently under pressure and with more load shedding problems than in the past, the effect on towns like Ashton and Tulbagh is enormous.

It is quite clear that Eskom and our very silent president do not have a clue at how much this is affecting South Africa’s economy and citizens.

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