ZESCO Temunobe

Dear Africana Woman,

How are you doing? Hope you are enjoying your day. Is it cheating if I posted poetry from a while back? Lol. The time I am writing this is the beginning of June, our cold season has officially begun. Whilst Kabwe is no comparison in temperature drops with the capital city, cold is cold. The worst part is I have no idea where my socks are. The lady that helps out has a knack for hiding things from us. Then it was suggested that we pull out the heaters because of the weather. I was like, “NO! Don’t you dare.”

My guy I am still traumatised by one Zesco, the nation’s electricity supplier. I remember the good ol days, literally just a couple years ago when your first purchase of electricity units in the month would have a bonus added to them. Neh. I even worked out that K300 was enough for the month because it got me about 400+ units which powered the house and the tank which is constantly being used for the gardens. Baby gurl, these people have been distracting us with fuel price changes, whilst in the background they have methodically chipped away at the bonus that now it is just day light robbery. You know.

If I recall well there was that period when they said the nation didn’t have enough power because their contractual agreement required them to export our electricity. Which meant we were experiencing Bard scheduled power cuts. I think somewhere in there they justified why the power should become this ridiculous. Now that I have moved full time into the Kabwe house, it was mostly vacant before, the consumption has risen. But Friend I live alone for the most part. How much more can one sister consume. I don’t even watch TV. It is just the bulb for the room I am in and the laptop. Maybe charging the phone.

The fashion has now become that I buy K300. It will get me to about the 3rd week, then the pee pee pee starts. There was once a time I used to get embarrassed if someone heard the pee pee pee. These days I don’t care who hears it. Power yali dula. The thing is after your first purchase for the month any subsequent purchase you make takes the piss. And it continually gets worse after that. How that is possible. Exampo. On the 24th May I spent K150 and I was given 64.8 Units. That’s not even half the kwacha value. Nje it finished. Then I topped up on 31st May with a K30 it gave me 13 units. Another time I put in K100 only to receive 43.2 units on 27 May. Hmmm.

Now I am a problem solver. I figured let me observe the pattern. Remember I told you that I was comfortable at K300. This is what I found:

• · 1 April – K300 – 317.6 units

• · 1 May – K500 – 403.9 units

Notice how I have been progressively increasing it so as I get to a point where I only have to purchase electricity once a month. So this time I said I will show you Zesco. I am spending Monee this time. I put down, wait for it:

• · 1 June – K700 – 490 units

JEEZOS what have I done to this world for Zesco to show me flames like this? You people that live 5, 8, 10 in a house. How do you do it? I Cyant guys, I cyan’t. This is nonsense. FOUR NINETY. Kano you said Six something. FOUR NINETY.

SO NO we are NOT taking out any heaters. Heater for who?

If your company is into alternative power, this is when you should be singing the loudest. Okay I know that in Zambia twali samwa. Kaili tucili tulepika ne ci tofu ca electric. Limbi ndineka. Shapokelele memo. Elo sha temwa gasi. Nda tina. Namwimona efyo nde chula? Nin jambo uku mi sosha mu cibemba. Awe Ba Zesco ba ka cinja slogan to miracle worker.

You know when you are so pissed you become fluent in the language you want to cuss in. I know that countries like Kenya, Botswana or Zimbabwe using gas stoves is the norm. We haven’t yet caught on. I also learned about some gents in Zambia who are selling a type of charcoal which is not harmful to the atmosphere. All I am saying is we need to become a bit more proactive in finding power solutions. As you a can see, ZESCO temunobe. Let’s share what we find out there. Me I am tayad.

My Darling, stay warm. Cover up. Get layers. Put on socks. Heater for who? Okay Naya Ine. If this is your first time here, welcome Beautiful. I am so happy you made it here. Click the subscribe button so that I can send you a love letter directly. Hey Sweetheart, it’s so nice to see you again. Thank you for the support. Please share this with at least one person. By the way on the Africana Woman podcast, the latest episode is my conversation with Zelipa Zulu, the co-writer of Netflix Blood Sisters. She is Zambian born, a Kabulonga Girls alum and really a joy to talk to. I am sure you will enjoy the conversation. As you can tell Africana Woman is a blog, podcast and community. Use everything my deeya. You can also catch me on Instagram @ChuluByDesign. Always remember, that my desire is that you love yourself flaws n all and attract the life that you truly desire. Day 17 done. #30DaysWriting

Love

Chulu