This is currently happening right now in South Africa.
I was there earlier in the year and here is what happens:
1) You have 'load shedding' where there is a two-hour period in the day where a pre-defined area has a complete power cut.
2) You have unexpected power cuts also.
3) The price of portable generators has gone through the roof and they are difficult to get now. There is a huge waiting list to get them.
4) Hospitals will run on large generators (most have them installed anyway)
5) Smaller stores and sometimes even medium sized stores may not have generators because they are too expensive or they don't have the floor space to install them. A butcher told me how he had to throw large quantities of meat away because it had spoiled. While I was in a supermarket the power was cut and there was complete darkness. All the tills closed, candles were brought out, and the front doors were barricaded with trolleys so that shoppers could be checked for stolen goods on their way out (and to stop looters making a quick dash in).
6) Traffic lights fail, leading to jams.
7) Air-con fails in hotels and resorts, and that is no joke in Durban in January!
Candles and flashlights are your best mate.
9) If you run a PC, you best be getting hold of a UPS. I didn't find out how difficult they were to get, but I am guessing they would be easier to get than portable generators.
10) It is very frustrating and totally screws up any business or leisure plans you have, unless you just want to sit on the beach.
In short, you won't dig it.
