South Africans are facing yet another tough stretch as Eskom reintroduces Stage 6 loadshedding, plunging neighborhoods, businesses, and public services into scheduled darkness. From August 10 to 11, the country will experience extended power cuts sometimes lasting up to six hours a day as the national power utility battles with deep-rooted supply problems.
Why Has Stage 6 Returned?
According to Eskom, the resurgence of this severe level of power rationing is mainly due to breakdowns at several power stations and critical maintenance backlogs. As of this week, more than 6,000 megawatts of power need to be pulled from the national grid to prevent a complete system collapse.
This latest escalation underscores the ongoing fragility of South Africa’s electricity supply a crisis that has dragged on for over a decade, with no clear resolution in sight.
What Stage 6 Really Means for You
Under Stage 6, most areas will face three or more power cuts per day, usually in two-hour blocks, although some outages may stretch even longer. These blackouts often hit during peak times early mornings and evenings when electricity demand is highest.
The disruption affects just about every corner of life:
- Homes: Meal prep, homework, and even basic lighting become difficult without consistent power.
- Remote Work: With routers down and devices uncharged, working from home becomes a gamble.
- Small Businesses: From salons to bakeries, many are forced to close early or invest in expensive backup power.
- Transport & Safety: Traffic lights fail, mobile signals drop, and alarm systems may stop working—raising concerns around public safety.
Official Loadshedding Schedule for August 10–11
Eskom has released a provisional schedule for the upcoming two days. Please note, local variations may apply, so residents are advised to double-check with their municipality or use EskomSePush and similar apps.
| Time Slot | Region A | Region B | Region C | Region D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00–02:00 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 02:00–04:00 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
| 04:00–06:00 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 06:00–08:00 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
| 08:00–10:00 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 10:00–12:00 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
| 12:00–14:00 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 14:00–16:00 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
Note: The schedule is subject to last-minute changes due to fluctuating demand and unforeseen breakdowns.
How South Africans Are Coping
With loadshedding now a daily part of life, more and more households are turning to alternative energy solutions. While some options are costly, others offer affordable relief:
- Solar installations are growing, especially in middle-to-upper income homes and small businesses.
- Inverters and battery packs provide a quieter and more efficient backup, especially for electronics and lights.
- Generators remain popular but come with high fuel costs and noise.
- Gas stoves and geysers are now must-haves in many homes.
Retailers report soaring demand for LED lights, power banks, and low-wattage appliances, as families try to adapt without breaking the bank.
Tips to Get Through Stage 6
Here are a few simple but effective ways to prepare:
- Charge everything during your power-on hours, especially phones and laptops.
- Plan meals and errands around outage times.
- Download offline content if you rely on streaming for entertainment or study.
- Use surge protectors to guard your appliances when the power returns.
- Stay connected via WhatsApp groups, community alerts, or Eskom’s official platforms.
What This Means for the Economy
Loadshedding doesn’t just darken homes it dims economic prospects too. Economists warn that frequent blackouts are directly cutting into GDP growth, reducing investor confidence, and pushing operational costs up for nearly every industry.
- Manufacturing plants lose millions in lost production time.
- Retailers are forced to reduce trading hours.
- Hospitals, schools, and public services operate under strain.
- Tech and finance companies suffer from unstable digital infrastructure.
A Problem with No Quick Fix
As frustrating as it is, there’s no overnight solution. Eskom’s aging fleet of coal-fired plants continues to break down, and while renewable energy projects are in the pipeline, they aren’t rolling out fast enough to make a dent.
Government has pledged to fast-track public-private partnerships and lift restrictions on independent power producers but these measures will take time to show real results.
Final Word
With Stage 6 back, the message is clear: South Africa’s energy crisis is far from over. Until significant reforms and infrastructure investments take root, citizens will need to rely on planning, patience, and one another.
Remember to check your local loadshedding schedule daily, stay safe, and do your best to stay powered up in these challenging times.
