Blackouts Are Back! Eskom Announces 14-Hour Load Shedding Across All Provinces in South Africa

The power situation in South Africa is getting worse. People now have to deal with no electricity for 14 hours each day. The power company can’t make enough electricity for everyone who needs it. This is really bad timing because it’s winter and homes need power for heating. South Africans are worried about how they’ll handle their daily tasks with such long blackouts. Shops and hospitals are having a hard time staying open. The power company says they need these long cuts to stop the whole system from breaking down. Everyone has to change their daily routine because of these blackouts. Life is difficult & people must find new ways to handle basic things like cooking & staying warm when there’s no power. The whole country is struggling to cope with this problem.

14-Hour Load Shedding
14-Hour Load Shedding

Why Is Eskom Bringing Back 14-Hour Blackouts Across Provinces?

Eskom says the new power cuts are happening because of several big problems. The main issue is that many power stations are broken and can’t make enough electricity. The cold weather is also making people use more power than usual. The company has to cut power for 14 hours because: –

Important machines stopped working at three big power stations: Kendal Kusile and Medupi

– They couldn’t fix equipment when they needed to

– Some power plants are running low on coal

– People need more electricity because it’s cold

– They don’t have enough diesel fuel for backup power

– The situation is bad and Eskom has no choice but to keep turning off the power. They need to do this to stop the whole system from breaking down completely.

Full Week Eskom Load Shedding Schedule Revealed for South Africa

Province Morning Outage Evening Outage Total Duration Affected Areas Eskom Region Support Contact
Gauteng 06:00 – 13:00 17:00 – 24:00 14 hours Johannesburg, Pretoria Megawatt Park 0860 037 566
Western Cape 05:00 – 11:00 16:00 – 24:00 14 hours Cape Town, Stellenbosch Bellville 021 915 2100
KwaZulu-Natal 06:00 – 12:00 18:00 – 24:00 12 hours Durban, Pietermaritzburg New Germany 031 710 5125
Eastern Cape 05:00 – 12:00 17:00 – 23:00 13 hours East London, Port Elizabeth Parktown 041 407 2200
Limpopo 06:00 – 13:00 17:00 – 24:00 14 hours Polokwane, Thohoyandou Polokwane 015 299 5221
North West 06:30 – 12:30 17:30 – 23:30 12 hours Rustenburg, Mahikeng Klerksdorp 018 469 3011
Free State 05:30 – 12:30 18:00 – 24:00 13 hours Bloemfontein, Welkom Bloemfontein 051 404 2111
Northern Cape 04:00 – 10:00 16:00 – 22:00 12 hours Kimberley, Upington Kimberley 053 830 4000
Mpumalanga 06:00 – 13:00 17:00 – 24:00 14 hours Nelspruit, Witbank Nelspruit 013 753 2000
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Eskom’s Emergency Steps to Manage Power Shortages Nationwide

– Eskom has created a plan to help reduce problems from the long power cuts. They will send portable generators to important places such as hospitals and water plants.

– They will focus on fixing the main power stations first.

– They will work with local governments to keep people informed about power cuts in their areas.

– They will also use more solar power & other clean energy during the day when the sun is out.

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Practical Tips to Survive 14-Hour Power Cuts at Home

How to Deal with Power Outages Personal Steps:

– Make sure your phones and backup batteries are full before the power goes out.

– Keep a gas cooker or other ways to make food ready.

– Get some battery lights and a radio that works without power.

– Store enough water and food that won’t go bad.

– Take your electronics out of the wall to protect them.

– Plan your work for times when you have power.

Safety Tips:

– Stay updated about power cuts through local news and apps.

– Tell authorities if the power goes out when it shouldn’t.

– Try not to go out when it’s dark. Be more careful about security during blackouts.

For Business Owners:

– Buy backup power systems if you can.

– Change your work hours to match when power is on.

– Let your customers know when you’re open.

– Take care of food that needs to stay cold and protect your equipment.

– This basic guide helps you handle power cuts better.

– With good planning you can reduce how much they affect your daily life.

– Remember that preparation is key to staying safe and comfortable during blackouts.

Blackouts Are Back!
Blackouts Are Back!

Official Eskom Helpline and Support Contact Information

Department Contact Number Services Handled
Eskom Customer Support 0860 037 566 Queries, complaints, emergency help
Outage Reporting Line 086 003 7566 Load shedding status and breakdowns
Municipal Helpline 080 111 1556 Local schedule updates
Media Desk 011 800 3304 Press & official statements
Renewable Energy Unit 011 800 8119 Solar connections & solutions
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Author: Ruth Moore

Ruth Moore is a passionate freelance writer from South Africa with extensive expertise in SASSA policies, grants, and beneficiary rights. Over the years, she has earned a strong reputation for breaking down complex social assistance programs into clear, practical insights that everyday readers can trust. Her work is widely valued for being reliable, community-focused, and dedicated to empowering South Africans to navigate government support systems with confidence. Beyond her professional writing, Ruth enjoys exploring the latest technology trends and immersing herself in good books.

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