We need to push through the barriers of crisis if we want change

The past fortnight has been hell on steroids. Two weeks ago, there was load shedding and then, the familiar delay in turning the electricity back on. But this time the delay has been 14 days and counting.

The plunge into the abyss of zero power was due to four substations catching fire and stretches of cable melting down.

It wasn’t new and everyone expected a 10-hour turnaround time to fix the problem – and the lights did come back on. But the joy lasted a few hours and after that, everything powered down as thousands of households were dumped into darkness.

It became an ongoing saga. But most fascinating of all were the human dynamics that came into play. Community WhatsApp groups came alive and neighbours became besties with entire blocks of residents. People were bound together by a crisis.

But it wasn’t long before cracks in solidarity started showing. Frustration grew and anger brewed.

Enter the poor ward councillor who has no control over what the municipality does operationally. He became the common enemy... Anger and frustration now had a face and a direction.

But then something more interesting happened. Local politicians from the opposition coalition turned on one another in a one-upmanship that was as vile as the level of service delivery residents have to endure.

The antagonism between local politicos spurred action. Suddenly, councillors hit the streets to check repair progress and while no electricity was forthcoming, a measure of community order was achieved. Elected leaders were doing something and it fuelled hope.

Frequent updates by said councillors rolled in. Anger was redirected at municipal management with threats of rates and taxes boycotts.

Beyond the mess, the past two weeks have provided a fascinating insight into peopledom.

We seem to need a common enemy, anger, frustration and then, enough of that to push us over the edge, to get something done and solicit action.

We protest to be heard, to effect change. Theoretically, we vote to make it all come true.

But I can bet my bottom dollar on this: As soon as the electricity comes back on, life will take on a measure of normalcy, placid and passive complacency will set back in.

Boycotts will be relegated to momentary lapses of reason and WhatsApp groups will return to chitter-chat.

And once the anger is gone, so will much of the desire to participate in bringing about change.