South Africa on the brink of diseaster as blackouts threatening civil conflict

 South Africa is on the brink of 'disaster,' with blackouts threatening civil conflict.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a catastrophe with immediate effect, citing the country's severe electricity shortage.

South Africa is currently on the verge of "civil war-like" upheaval, with fears that the country could face rolling blackouts and total power grid breakdown. As worries of widespread unrest rise, Western embassies such as the United States and Australia have warned their nationals to stock up on "several days' worth" of food and water, telling them to remain on high alert amid the country's energy crisis. The country has been experiencing frequent six-hour power outages, resulting in a catastrophic energy crisis that has generated widespread protests and civil unrest.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed a state of calamity earlier this month, with immediate effect, as the country faced a severe electricity deficit.

As a result, the state-owned electricity firm Eskom has been forced to implement rolling blackouts known as "load shedding," which have lasted up to 12 hours in some cases, according to news.com.au.

"Rolling blackouts (load shedding) are occurring throughout South Africa, affecting individual households, businesses, municipal lighting, traffic signals, and hotels," Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated earlier this month.

"Power outages can also have an impact on water supply, internet connectivity, mobile phone network coverage, gasoline availability, house security features, and food supply."

They also cautioned that these power disruptions could boost crime, saying "For example, traffic bottlenecks caused to power outages give opportunity for smash-and-grab crime.

"Residences might be targeted when the lights are turned off and security systems are not operational. Continuing conditions have resulted in rising protests and rallies, as well as, in some cases, civil unrest, across the country."

Meanwhile, the US Embassy encouraged citizens to "stockpile 72-hour supplies at home by hoarding non-perishable food and 3 liters of drinking water per person each day, as well as medicines and first aid supplies."

Be mindful of your surroundings, evaluate your own security preparations, and enquire about a backup power supply for your lodging," they advised (i.e. generators or solar power).

They also advised American citizens to exercise caution if they were unexpectedly in the vicinity of major rallies or protests.

According to the tech publication MyBroadband, the US government informed representatives of significant US-based corporations operating in South Africa last month to prepare for a total power system failure.

During a discussion, US government officials emphasized that while a total power grid failure was unlikely, it was "something we need to start thinking about".

They cautioned that if the power grid went down completely, it might take "six to 14 days" to restart, adding that "there are a few feeder lines from other nations, but not enough to deal with a black start situation."

The official warned that if the grid went down, there would be mass looting and social upheaval, citing an unnamed source who said, "What's left after a blackout would be what's left after a civil war."

South Africa, a country with a population of roughly 60 million people, "has crumbled," according to a viral Twitter thread this week.