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Stage 4 Load Shedding Returns : South Africa is once again facing widespread electricity blackouts, as Eskom has officially reintroduced Stage 4 load shedding amid mounting pressure on the country’s fragile power grid. The announcement has sparked widespread concern among residents and businesses who have grown weary of the frequent and disruptive outages.
What Does Stage 4 Mean for the Average South African?
Stage 4 load shedding is not just an inconvenience it signals a severe strain on the energy supply system. Under this stage, South Africans can expect power cuts of up to four hours at a time, two to three times per day, depending on their location. Eskom says the decision to escalate to Stage 4 was made to prevent a total collapse of the national grid, which would result in an unprecedented blackout across the country.
According to Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena, “The return of Stage 4 load shedding is unfortunate but necessary. Demand continues to outstrip supply, and our generation fleet is aging and unreliable. We are urging the public to conserve electricity wherever possible.”
Which Areas Will Be Affected?
While power cuts will be felt nationwide, some areas may be hit harder than others depending on local demand and infrastructure. Here’s what residents in major cities can expect:
- Johannesburg: Suburbs such as Sandton, Randburg, and Soweto are on high alert for multiple outages daily. City Power has released updated schedules, which are available on their website.
- Cape Town: The City of Cape Town often manages to shield its residents from the full impact of load shedding through its own generation capacity. However, residents are still being advised to prepare for up to three blocks of outages per day.
- Durban: eThekwini Municipality has warned residents to prepare for load shedding up to three times daily and has urged businesses to activate contingency plans.
- Pretoria: Tshwane residents have been notified that load shedding will follow a strict rotational pattern, with particular focus on protecting critical infrastructure.
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): Nelson Mandela Bay will implement its Stage 4 load shedding schedule starting this weekend, affecting both residential and commercial zones.
How Can You Prepare for the Outages?
Planning ahead is key to minimizing the disruptions that come with blackouts. Experts recommend the following steps:
- Charge All Devices: Keep phones, laptops, and rechargeable lights or lanterns fully charged ahead of scheduled outages.
- Backup Power: If possible, invest in a generator, inverter, or solar-powered system. Even a small UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) can keep your router and lights running.
- Stock Essentials: Have non-perishable food, bottled water, and a first-aid kit on hand. For families with small children, it’s also a good idea to prepare extra baby supplies.
- Plan Meals in Advance: Prepare cooked meals before outages begin or consider using a gas stove if available.
- Stay Informed: Use apps such as EskomSePush, or visit Eskom’s official website and social media channels for real-time updates and schedules.
Businesses Take a Hit
The return of severe load shedding has sent ripples through South Africa’s already struggling economy. From manufacturing plants to small family-run shops, the disruptions are having a widespread impact.
Many companies are adjusting their operating hours to align with power availability, while others are turning to costly generators or solar installations to stay afloat.
“We lost almost an entire day’s worth of production last week,” said factory manager Thabo Dlamini from Germiston. “With Stage 4 back in play, we’re going to need to rework our entire shift schedule again.”
Long-Term Solutions Still Out of Reach
Eskom’s recurring blackouts have raised urgent questions about the country’s long-term energy strategy. The utility is facing multiple challenges, including aging infrastructure, poor maintenance, corruption, and a lack of investment in renewable energy.
The government has promised reforms, including ramping up support for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and diversifying energy sources, but progress has been slow.
Energy analyst Lebo Mthembu says, “South Africa needs a decisive, multi-layered approach to fix its energy crisis. Renewables, private sector investment, and a restructured Eskom must all be part of the solution. Band-aid solutions like Stage 4 load shedding aren’t sustainable.”
Final Thoughts
As Eskom continues to battle challenges on multiple fronts, South Africans are urged to stay prepared and informed. Load shedding may be the new normal at least for now but with collective resilience, energy-conscious behavior, and long-term planning, there is hope that the lights won’t stay out forever.
