2 Time-zones for SA?

[Cleric]

South Africa could soon be divided into two times zones.

This is according to the Portia Molefe, a director-general at the department of public enterprises, who was speaking in a briefing to parliament's minerals and energy portfolio committee on the energy crisis on Wednesday morning.

Molefe said the daylight-saving plan would help spread electricity demand by shifting peak demand times.

She said that the two time-zone plan was "far more viable now" than it had been before as South Africa's economics had changed, in that the Western Cape's economy had strengthened when compared to Gauteng's.

Molefe said that this plan would not just be good for getting back about 200 megawatts of electricity,but that it would also be good for sectors like the airline industry, which she said could "fly a lot longer each day".

http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-25_2282566

Honestly, this is the first really innovative idea that I've heard to manage the power crisis. It just makes good sense. I doubt it will go through, but I'm glad that they're beginning to look outside the box.

[Miktar]

Oh my God, no. *facepalms*

[ShadowBurn]

WTF??? 2 Time zones in our small county?

[cr@zydude]

dude we actually should have 2 time zones. durban is on a different line of longitude.

[Miktar]

No, we shouldn't. That would be retarded.

[kHayne]

Statement.
Justification.
?????
Profit.

My opinion? The man makes some sense. Spreading peak power use over two hours instead of one is a potential solution to the loadshedding problem. But it potentially opens up a whole other can of worms.

[wisp]

Day Light saving time is a great idea and works well in the Uk..but 2 time zones O.O

[Antharias]

Okay. Yeah, we have two time zones but for all intensive purposes, we only use the one because it is not worth splitting it so drastically. It would not do our country any bloody good to have two timezones because for so long we have had only one and it would cost a hell of a lot more to change it than we would save on electricity.

[Cleric]

It's not a case of the rand cost of electricity. It's the case of electricity just not being there when it's needed, so spreading peak usage makes perfect sense. It's an interesting proposal, and I get the feeling that some people are just adverse to change.

[Coolhand]

SA should definitely have 2 time zones. Just look at the longitudes of SA and compare them to how other countries have done it.

Just because people in SA aren't used to it doesn't mean that it is automatically a bad idea.

There is a reason why at 7pm it is dark in Joburg but still light for another hour in Cape Town.

If Mexico can have 2 time zones, then SA bloody-well can to!

http://www.theodora.com/maps/new9/time_zones_4.jpg

[cr@zydude]

i agree with cleric everyone went ape **** when they stopped giving away free plastic bags at shops. and look at us now the country's still in one piece. 2 time zones + daylight saving ftw!!

[Miktar]

I don't think you're really thinking this through, cr@zydude. You don't quite realize the impact dicking around with DST has on a country.

[Cleric]

U really do know everything about everything, don't you.

[Squirly]

Duh. That's why he's an admin.

Pay attention Cleric.

[Mic]

well... for 1... we will be a divided nation... and every time you fly to Jo'burg or Durb's you need to set your clock... but... I'm 50-50 on this one... It's a good idea but implementing it will be a catastrophe.

[dunjin]

It's a good idea but implementing it will be a catastrophe.

proof, lol.

I'm for it. Stir the **** up. TV guides will never be the same again.

[Squirly]

Here in Nam we don't have 2 time zones, but we need to set our clocks back every winter... in fact it's about time we do that again, if my calculations are correct. For me the most significant difference back when they first implemented it was that the sunday night 8PM movie started 7.

Priorities.

I still think it's the biggest load of **** thought. We don't even HAVE two relevant longitudes running through our country - it's just a way of being different.

[Nduimiso]

business would never work as head offices would be either not open yet or closed

[PloPshoP]

Let's implement it a few weeks before the 2010 World Cup, then fail at adjusting to it properly and then show the whole world why SA is made of fail.

[Mic]

I think we do.... 20? and 30? east of Greenwich, witch actually means that it is viable.

[MrDeVil_909]

I'm all for it. SA has one of the widest single timezones in the world.

Coolhand has it right.


There is a reason why at 7pm it is dark in Joburg but still light for another hour in Cape Town.

People are just being reactionary. If the US ****ing A can make multiple timezones work then there is no reason we can't.

Cape Town is practically another country anyway ;)

[Mic]

Let's implement it a few weeks before the 2010 World Cup, then fail at adjusting to it properly and then show the whole world why SA is made of fail.

dude... I'm giving you 1 warning... please cover your anti-SA **** up with sensefull **** or don't say that type of **** about your OWN ****ING COUNTRY!!!!!

[PloPshoP]

dude... I'm giving you 1 warning... please cover your anti-SA **** up with sensefull **** or don't say that type of **** about your OWN ****ING COUNTRY!!!!!

Thanks for the warning.

[Antimatter]

dude... I'm giving you 1 warning... please cover your anti-SA **** up with sensefull **** or don't say that type of **** about your OWN ****ING COUNTRY!!!!!

Hahahahahaha or what man?

[Garson007]

**** yeah, an hour extra sleep in CT will be win. That's the one thing I loved about going to Namibia - everything starts an hour later and Windhoek and CT is more or less at the same longitude. I say yeah to the idea; too long I've woken up in darkness.

[A.I.]

dude... I'm giving you 1 warning... please cover your anti-SA **** up with sensefull **** or don't say that type of **** about your OWN ****ING COUNTRY!!!!!

Aah patriotism in a time where it's hard to be patriotic. Maybe he is in the same timezone as ESKOM and the government, must be a calm relaxing place where no one gives a **** untill it hits the fan.

[Garson007]

Aah patriotism in a time where it's hard to be patriotic. Maybe he is in the same timezone as ESKOM and the government, must be a calm relaxing place where no one gives a **** untill it hits the fan.
I'd like to state this again: Do -NOT- blame Eskom, blame the Government.

[cr@zydude]

Let's implement it a few weeks before the 2010 World Cup, then fail at adjusting to it properly and then show the whole world why SA is made of fail.

DUDE GO **** YOURSELF!!! WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU ****TING ON EVERYTHING!!! ESPECIALLY SOMETHING THAT WILL DEFINATELY HELP THE COUNTRY.

[PloPshoP]

I thougth the whole point of forums is to be able to give your own oppinion, WITHOUT SOMEONE ****ING THEIR PANTS ABOUT IT!

[Chainsaw]

DUDE GO **** YOURSELF!!! WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU ****TING ON EVERYTHING!!! ESPECIALLY SOMETHING THAT WILL DEFINATELY HELP THE COUNTRY.

Uncalled for...

Anyway, I'm all for it, since this would finally prove me right. I've been fighting with me friends for the past two years and their too stupid to realize that the tod in Cape Town is different to Joburg. I shall once again be proven right! MWAHAHAHAHA!!! [/bad evil laugh]

[cr@zydude]

sorry chainsaw dude but i just hate people who belive that south africa can't do any thing right.

[Chippit]

Russia seems to have no problems with their, what, 11 timezones. There's no reasonable answer why this can't work. Since we span 2 timezones anyway, it's about time they make the change.


business would never work as head offices would be either not open yet or closed
Um? What?

[R4mzy]

I don't think you're really thinking this through, cr@zydude. You don't quite realize the impact dicking around with DST has on a country.

Miktar, I don't really know much about the subject and so far all I see are pros for the idea, other than a little inconvenience for some that don't want to change their clocks.
What would the big impact be from implementing DST?

[dammit]

In theory, yay save some electricity and cut down on load shedding.

In practice, crap thats a big mess the government has made and its costing everyone loads of money.

[Chainsaw]

sorry chainsaw dude but i just hate people who belive that south africa can't do any thing right.

15 years ago South Africa had the cleanest tapwater in THE WORLD. Now we have some of the dirtiest tapwater in the world. Think about that.....

[dammit]

What would the big impact be from implementing DST?

excuse double post.

I don't think theres actually anything wrong with the idea and once its implemented it will be fine. Its the process of implementation that is going to be a stuff up. It costs money, as did the uselessness of road name changes, which our country doesn't have to spare...

Plus, our government is notoriously bad at organization of such large scale changes.

[cr@zydude]

15 years ago South Africa had the cleanest tapwater in THE WORLD. Now we have some of the dirtiest tapwater in the world. Think about that.....

15 years ago i wouldn't have been allowed to go to the school i do or live in the house i do, think about that!

[Chainsaw]

I'm not complaining, am I?

[MrDeVil_909]

Plus, our government is notoriously bad at organization of such large scale changes.

I kind of agree with you, our government, like most, does suck at implementing large scale change.

But the time-zone change would actually be down to individuals and businesses. The government will just need to say 'North, East and Western Cape, on 1 April set your clocks back an hour.' Businesses make sure that their staff are aware and that's it.

I am simplifying, the human race is a stupid group, but it wouldn't be carnage.

Daylight savings would, I feel, be a lot more admin, and it would be an annual occurrence increasing complications.

[no_fear]

dude... I'm giving you 1 warning... please cover your anti-SA **** up with sensefull **** or don't say that type of **** about your OWN ****ING COUNTRY!!!!!


DUDE GO **** YOURSELF!!! WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU ****TING ON EVERYTHING!!! ESPECIALLY SOMETHING THAT WILL DEFINATELY HELP THE COUNTRY.

Haha...love the agro pair - they make me laugh. It's just fantastic to see such patriotism in a time when our government has shown itself to be incompetent. Dude, stfu. This is a public forum. We all share our opinions. No need to get so worked up about something so stupid.

[Domanskip]

roflmfao.....
Things that have happened in 3 months of 2008 in South Africa:

-Massive power problems
-Alleged rapist and definite immoral idiot set to become president.
-Students make maids eat their urine
-A retarded pledge is established
-Petrol prices fly
-Game prices fly
-Crime rate flies
-A retarded plan to split the country into two time-zones is thought up. More laughable than Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"
-NAG loses their Wii due to a retarded distributor

What have we learnt today?
Nothing. We're still living here.

[Boggle24]

15 years ago i wouldn't have been allowed to go to the school i do or live in the house i do, think about that!

Off topic I know, but I fail to see how that has anything to do with the fact that our water used to be clean and now isn't.

it's not like we all just went back to the middle ages. Allthough, atleast we can still drink our tapwater, unlike say, the UAE or Hong Kong.

[Cleric]

15 years ago South Africa had the cleanest tapwater in THE WORLD. Now we have some of the dirtiest tapwater in the world. Think about that.....

Bull****. Take a look a little north and you'll find a bunch of african countries way worse.
Do you have any proof of this?

[george]

Getting this country to run on different timezones will not be easy and I don't think worth the effort.

Peak time electricity usage will be the only major benefit and I'm still hoping that our electricity issues will be solved by the private sector generating their own.

Many major companies have head offices in Cape Town and in Johannesburg or Pretoria. Two timezones will effectively waste two hours of each day for those who need to reach people in either one. For the first hour Cape Town workers will still be stuck in traffic on their way to work and the last hour Gauteng workers will be stuck in traffic on their way home. One office starting work an hour earlier or staying an hour later will solve the problem, but will then contribute to the original problem of peak time electricity usage.

And the worst has already been mentioned: image the tv guide.

This will also cause problems for the entertainment industry. Radio and tv progamming are selected to fall into certain specific peak times. Radio, SABC and etv could be changed so that different provinces receive different programming at different times, but how would you handle dstv. Reorganising everything to find the new ideal peak viewing time will waste too much money. In the end the viewers will have to pay.

Switching to more timezones will affect you a lot more than just remembering to change the time on your watch while flying to Cape Town.

[Cleric]

I work in a major financial institution in JHB, and we deal with people all over the world from Hong Kong to India to the USA, and everything else in between.

You may be right that it may not be worth the effort, but I stand by my original point that it's good to see that at least they'll be thinking outside the box.

That said, we should all be aware that 90% of what News24 reports wrt government never comes to pass. They're a sensationalist media house that gets off on creating a commotion, not thru journalism.

[Mic]

okok.. of topic here but...
I apologize for my actions(panic attack/freak out/ rudeness), I'm but only surrounded each day by pessimistic people who complain about the government and eskom and the Zuman, but, that isn't really an excuse, so I'll say this once again, if you hate this country so much, why don't you go somewhere else maybe? In the mean time I'll play a game, when the power is off invite my friends over for a braai, besides, zuma is making some strange first actions, like saying that USA isn't doing enough about the Zim issue, anyway, sorry.

[no_fear]

if you hate this country so much, why don't you go somewhere else maybe?

It is a lot easier said than done. Most of the people on these forums who say these things WANT to leave.

I think 2 time zones would be good to ease up peak hour electricity usage. But it could bring on a whole lot of other problems as mentioned. I suppose they have to get something to sort it out soon because winter is coming ****ing fast

[PloPshoP]

okok.. of topic here but...
if you hate this country so much, why don't you go somewhere else maybe? In the mean time I'll play a game, when the power is off invite my friends over for a braai, besides, zuma is making some strange first actions, like saying that USA isn't doing enough about the Zim issue, anyway, sorry.

What does that have to do with anything?

On topic, what will we do once the power situation is rectified? Revert to a single timezone go through all the upheaval again?

[Mic]

What has that got to do with anything?


Listen either you accept that apology or my highly unstable temper will get the best of me.

[Garson007]

What has that got to do with anything?

On topic, what will we do once the power situation is rectified? Revert to a single timezone go through all the upheaval again?
No, I think once time-zone is implemented it will be much better for the future, and that includes year 3000.

[Chainsaw]

roflmfao.....
Things that have happened in 3 months of 2008 in South Africa:

-Massive power problems
-Alleged rapist and definite immoral idiot set to become president.
-Students make maids eat their urine
-A retarded pledge is established
-Petrol prices fly
-Game prices fly
-Crime rate flies
-A retarded plan to split the country into two time-zones is thought up. More laughable than Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"
-NAG loses their Wii due to a retarded distributor

What have we learnt today?
Nothing. We're still living here.

I'm getting really irritated (noddy points for not saying what I want to) with this. You can clearly see in the un-shortened version of the tape that he takes out the oros bottle and opens it.



Bull****. Take a look a little north and you'll find a bunch of african countries way worse.
Do you have any proof of this?

Ahem,


15 years ago South Africa had the cleanest tapwater in THE WORLD. Now we have some of the dirtiest tapwater in the world. Think about that.....

Please try to read my post before commenting.....

Anyway, back on-topic.

I'd like to know how they're going to fix tvguides and the like. Anyone able to help me?

[Mic]

easy, make two standardized dstv modems one for the east and one for the west. and also the same with some radio shows, also some stuff like the news could be repeated like at 6 here and again at 7.

[Chainsaw]

And that's where finances come knocking on the door.

[Garson007]

I'm getting really irritated (noddy points for not saying what I want to) with this. You can clearly see in the un-shortened version of the tape that he takes out the oros bottle and opens it.
Not that urine has ever killed anyone anywhere in the world - ever, but I guess it has some sensitive symbolical meaning. In that case it doesn’t matter if it was Oros or not; it was the idea. ;)

[Domanskip]

I believe more than anyone that the whole "urine" thing was blown out of proportion to a massive degree.
Was just illustrating the state that our country is in, more a reflection on the media than on the people who committed the "crime".

[BlackMage]

So we need twice as much staff to co-ordinate broadcasts. and what of things like those retarded SMS competitions? is half the country not eligable anymore?, and what of live sporting events, like the local games? how are they going to arrange the programming around that? and how do they decide who gets to see things first?

[Garson007]

So we need twice as much staff to co-ordinate broadcasts. and what of things like those retarded SMS competitions? is half the country not eligable anymore?, and what of live sporting events, like the local games? how are they going to arrange the programming around that? and how do they decide who gets to see things first?
You guys are overcomplicating everything; people will just have to watch everything an hour later (in terms of personal clock, not in terms of real-time itself), simple - really.

[FoX]

Russia seems to have no problems with their, what, 11 timezones.

well it is the bigges country in the world.

[Mic]

well it is the bigges country in the world.

can't argue with that, but this whole thing might just be a blessing in disguise... I mean (and as sad before) if someone in the government had thought about this maybe it means there are actually some thinking going on there instead of wondering why it's happening.

[cr@zydude]

I believe more than anyone that the whole "urine" thing was blown out of proportion to a massive degree.
Was just illustrating the state that our country is in, more a reflection on the media than on the people who committed the "crime".

sure it was blown out of proportion, just like there's nothing wrong with your sig.

[Chevron]

besides, zuma is making some strange first actions, like saying that USA isn't doing enough about the Zim issue, anyway, sorry.

Have you forgotten that one of the reasons the rand is so weak is because Mbeki isn't doing anything about the zim issue. It seems as though Mbeki and Mugabe are best friends.

[Mic]

Have you forgotten that one of the reasons the rand is so weak is because Mbeki isn't doing anything about the zim issue. It seems as though Mbeki and Mugabe are best friends.

Yeah, and, thats why zuma is saying do something about it, but that doesn't mean I'm voting for him, he is like the African version of bush in a way... but he made some sense, but only allowing black reporters into one of his press conferences is really racist.

[R4mzy]

Getting this country to run on different timezones will not be easy and I don't think worth the effort.

Peak time electricity usage will be the only major benefit and I'm still hoping that our electricity issues will be solved by the private sector generating their own.

Many major companies have head offices in Cape Town and in Johannesburg or Pretoria. Two timezones will effectively waste two hours of each day for those who need to reach people in either one. For the first hour Cape Town workers will still be stuck in traffic on their way to work and the last hour Gauteng workers will be stuck in traffic on their way home. One office starting work an hour earlier or staying an hour later will solve the problem, but will then contribute to the original problem of peak time electricity usage.

And the worst has already been mentioned: image the tv guide.

This will also cause problems for the entertainment industry. Radio and tv progamming are selected to fall into certain specific peak times. Radio, SABC and etv could be changed so that different provinces receive different programming at different times, but how would you handle dstv. Reorganising everything to find the new ideal peak viewing time will waste too much money. In the end the viewers will have to pay.

Switching to more timezones will affect you a lot more than just remembering to change the time on your watch while flying to Cape Town.

Ah, now I get it. People kept saying it would cost, but I just couldn't wrap my head around how. Thanks.

[Nduimiso]

15 years ago South Africa had the cleanest tapwater in THE WORLD. Now we have some of the dirtiest tapwater in the world. Think about that.....
Um my tapwater is still perfectly clean and drinkable, other countries you cant even drink their tap water.

[Chainsaw]

You are such an idiot. Could you just wake up and smell the shacklands for once. The water looks clean, but put it through a pureifier? You'd probably throw up a longue, a spleen and two meteres of intestines and move to a different country and never drink water again.

EDIT: Would us folks in CT have to wake up an hour earlier or later?

[Chippit]

You are such an idiot. Could you just wake up and smell the shacklands for once. The water looks clean, but put it through a pureifier? You'd probably throw up a longue, a spleen and two meteres of intestines and move to a different country and never drink water again.

EDIT: Would us folks in CT have to wake up an hour earlier or later?
You'd be GMT +1, which means your time would be an hour behind the eastern half of the country, which means you'll be getting up an hour later.

[Chainsaw]

w00t!

Hehe, this'll rock, kinda.....

...or not.....

[Azimuth]

You are such an idiot. Could you just wake up and smell the shacklands for once. The water looks clean, but put it through a pureifier? You'd probably throw up a longue, a spleen and two meteres of intestines and move to a different country and never drink water again.

EDIT: Would us folks in CT have to wake up an hour earlier or later?

I drink our tap water. I wouldn't dream of drinking the tap water in London.

Just shut the **** up, Chainsaw Dude. Go do your English homework.

[Mic]

So.. haven't heard anything on the news about this (if it can be trusted), chainsaw dude I have 2 things to say to you:

Would us folks in CT have to wake up an hour earlier or later?

w00t!

Hehe, this'll rock
I agree totally :D 1 hour extra sleep :)

You are such an idiot. Could you just wake up and smell the shack lands for once. The water looks clean, but put it through a purifier? You'd probably throw up a lounge, a spleen and two meters of intestines and move to a different country and never drink water again.

That has nothing to do with havening the cleanest water around... It's a flippen shanty town so of course it'll have lower grade water than other more privileged households...

[Chippit]

Guys
You're not getting more sleep.

:/

[Mic]

Guys
You're not getting more sleep.

:/

?... if I get.. wait... GMT+ an hour = less sleep for a day/night!!!.. hopefully this change will come during the day and not the night.

[Garson007]

Guys
You're not getting more sleep.

:/
Thing is, people like me rely on sunlight for being awake and sleeping. Being able to sleep until sunrise would mean more sleep imho, 'cause you'll still be going to bed at the same time after darkness.

[dammit]

Seriously. Think for a second everyone.

The day will still be only 24 hours. So there is no getting any extra hours anywhere. All you are doing is shifting the time on your clock by one hour. It doesn't actually change anything. Technically, if you need to get up at, say, 6 am, you will still get up at 6am. It just wont be 6am everywhere in the country.

That is all.

[Garson007]

Seriously. Think for a second everyone.

The day will still be only 24 hours. So there is no getting any extra hours anywhere. All you are doing is shifting the time on your clock by one hour. It doesn't actually change anything. Technically, if you need to get up at, say, 6 am, you will still get up at 6am. It just wont be 6am everywhere in the country.

That is all.
Sunlight plays a very important role to that 24 hour day. ;)

[Chippit]

Sunlight plays a very important role to that 24 hour day. ;)
And, after this change, it will be more appropriately aligned with the time of day, like it is in JHB.

[dammit]

Sunlight plays a very important role to that 24 hour day. ;)


And, after this change, it will be more appropriately aligned with the time of day, like it is in JHB.


Yes, and yes. But, still only 24 hours. So no ones getting more or less hours in a day; hence no one is getting more or less time to sleep or whatever. Just wanted to point that out to the people making comments like "oooh, an extra hour to sleep"

[Mic]

actually... if you set your clock back 1 hour you'll gat an hour extra sleep... but only the day of the change and not the entire time... did you think we were talking about the entire time?

[Garson007]

Yes, and yes. But, still only 24 hours. So no ones getting more or less hours in a day; hence no one is getting more or less time to sleep or whatever. Just wanted to point that out to the people making comments like "oooh, an extra hour to sleep"
Read my post above yours, it might very well translate into an extra hour sleep, especially when I'm normally kept up by the JHB people on the interwebs..

[dammit]

Read my post above yours, it might very well translate into an extra hour sleep, especially when I'm normally kept up by the JHB people on the interwebs..


Fair enough.

[VoXoV]

drink our tap water. I wouldn't dream of drinking the tap water in London.

I wouldnt drink either one. My sisters music teacher found WORMS in their tap water.

[Garson007]

Seriously, if you don't drink tap water - what do you drink? :/

[VoXoV]

[QUOTE]Seriously, if you don't drink tap water - what do you drink? :/[/QUOTE

Coke+bottled water.

[Crash_Run]

[QUOTE]Seriously, if you don't drink tap water - what do you drink? :/[/QUOTE

Coke+bottled water.

And you think thats not tap water?

[Garson007]

Unnecessary expense if you ask me. That's just opinion of course.

[MrDeVil_909]

Seriously. Think for a second everyone.

The day will still be only 24 hours. So there is no getting any extra hours anywhere. All you are doing is shifting the time on your clock by one hour. It doesn't actually change anything. Technically, if you need to get up at, say, 6 am, you will still get up at 6am. It just wont be 6am everywhere in the country.

That is all.

:D

This whole situation reminds me of stories of when the Julian calendar became the Gregorian calendar. Apparently there were riots in the streets because the ignorant peasants believed that they had lost 11 days of their lives.