Memers Respond To Load Shedding Power Outages In South Africa And Pakistan

Memers in Pakistan and South Africa expressed frustration yesterday with power outages experienced across the countries as a result of load shedding. The hashtag "#Loadshedding," which trended on Monday on social networks like Twitter, is the practice of purposely turning off power for a few hours because demand for energy exceeds the available supply.

Oh no…..
It's back.
Stage 2 from 5pm.#loadshedding pic.twitter.com/kxplMfzVH1

— Alex Jay (@AlexJayZA) May 3, 2022

In Pakistan, the load shedding comes right at the end of the holy month of Ramadan and in the middle of a heatwave in some parts of the country. Since people can’t run their air conditioners during the heat, many have been memeing through this troubled time to vent their frustrations. In one meme, a series of Spider-Men, representing Pakistanis, point at each other and ask, “Is the light on?”

Pakistanis nowadays:#Loadshedding pic.twitter.com/2bGHeCk2o5

— Hamza💤 (@dfa_hoo) April 27, 2022

In another, electricity in Pakistan says, “I am here brother,” and then in the next panel, “Now I go, brother.”

Electricity in whole Pakistan after 1 hour:#Loadshedding #puranapakistan pic.twitter.com/YXtnmMhpyD

— Tanzeel-Ur-Rehman (@Tanzeel17591535) April 27, 2022

The situation in South Africa has led to a similar response. National power provider Eskom tweeted out a letter on Monday explaining the need for load shedding, and the replies were full of memes, including a Disappointed Muhammad Sarim Akhtar, which is a reaction image of a Pakistani cricket fan.

Why don't Y'all just switch electricity off for good, seems like you don't wanna supply us with electricity. pic.twitter.com/yhLlh4LCO2

— Sagwadi (@Waka_Eightyfive) May 3, 2022

And the most annoying part is that we're paying for this electricity🙄 we ain't getting it for free pic.twitter.com/4L0KmXEf6V

— Midnight (@Midnigh37037056) May 3, 2022

Notably, the letter said blackouts might last “until Monday” without specifying which "Monday."

They don't say which Monday we have blackouts until 2024 pic.twitter.com/aZxmexDPuM

— Sirboring🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@sirboring_26) May 3, 2022

Some exasperated South Africans implored Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who just bought Twitter (and was born in South Africa) to buy Eskom next and reform it.

Can @elonmusk buy Eskom next?

— Dean Macpherson (@DeanMacpherson) April 25, 2022

In both countries, critics lay the blame for load shedding on incompetent and corrupt management by the government. Aging infrastructure in power grids is not replaced, funds allocated to improving power generation don’t end up where they’re supposed to go and leaders fail to plan in advance for changing conditions.

Electricity shortages are a major political issue in South Africa and Pakistan, and in the eyes of many online, emblematic of the consequences of ineffective government. Meme formats such as these have shown themselves to be an important part of public discussions about those issues.