14-Hour Blackout – Eskom has issued an urgent national alert regarding a planned 14-hour blackout that will affect every province in South Africa, starting from early June 2025. The nationwide power outage, which is part of a large-scale grid management program, is aimed at averting a system-wide collapse due to excessive electricity demand, aging infrastructure, and delayed maintenance. The announcement has triggered concerns across households, schools, businesses, and healthcare institutions, with authorities calling for urgent preparedness across all regions. Eskom emphasized that this move is necessary to maintain the integrity of the national grid and to allow essential repairs to be carried out without further delay. The planned blackout will rotate through provinces, lasting approximately 14 hours per day per region, based on a staggered schedule.
Why Eskom Is Enforcing 14-Hour Power Cuts in June 2025
Eskom is enforcing the 14-hour power cuts in June 2025 to prevent a total collapse of South Africa’s electricity grid. With winter demand reaching record highs, aging infrastructure, and delays in critical maintenance, the national grid is under severe strain. These extended outages will allow Eskom to carry out urgent repairs, stabilize supply, and manage energy distribution more efficiently across provinces.
According to Eskom’s official statement, several critical reasons have necessitated this decision:
- Extreme winter demand is placing unsustainable pressure on the national grid, especially during early morning and evening hours.
- Many substations and generation plants are operating beyond safe capacity.
- Deferred maintenance over the last two years has created a backlog of urgent repair work.
- Cable theft and vandalism are further straining transmission infrastructure in rural and urban zones.
- Recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape has weakened power corridors.
- Solar power output is reduced during cloudy winter months, lowering supply in hybrid-powered zones.
Eskom warned that without immediate intervention, South Africa risks total blackouts that could last for several days—a scenario far worse than the rolling cuts being introduced now.
Detailed Provincial Blackout Schedule – Full Table for June 2025
To ensure fairness and minimize chaos, Eskom has released a structured province-wise blackout schedule for June 2025. Each province will face a 14-hour power cut on specific dates, following a rotational pattern to balance the national electricity load. This planned schedule allows residents, businesses, and essential services to prepare in advance, helping reduce the overall impact of the extended outages. Eskom has provided a structured plan to ensure the blackouts occur in a fair, predictable, and coordinated manner. The rotating schedule allows municipalities, businesses, and residents to plan ahead.
14-Hour Blackout Timetable by Province (Week 1 – June 2025)
| Province | Blackout Date | Start Time | End Time | Affected Cities/Towns | Region Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 3 June | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto | Urban | Confirmed | Prepare for public transport disruption |
| Western Cape | 4 June | 05:00 AM | 07:00 PM | Cape Town, Paarl, Worcester | Urban + Rural | Confirmed | Load switching for water systems likely |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 5 June | 07:00 AM | 09:00 PM | Durban, Umlazi, PMB | Urban + Coastal | Confirmed | Essential services to run on backup |
| Eastern Cape | 6 June | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | East London, Mthatha, PE | Urban + Rural | Tentative | Weather-dependent activation |
| Northern Cape | 7 June | 05:00 AM | 07:00 PM | Kimberley, Upington | Rural | Confirmed | Farming and mining affected |
| Free State | 8 June | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | Bloemfontein, Welkom | Urban + Rural | Confirmed | Use battery-powered emergency lighting |
| Limpopo | 9 June | 07:00 AM | 09:00 PM | Polokwane, Giyani, Tzaneen | Rural | Confirmed | Hospitals advised to prepare generators |
| Mpumalanga | 10 June | 05:00 AM | 07:00 PM | Nelspruit, Secunda | Urban + Industrial | Confirmed | Energy-intensive zones prioritized |
| North West | 11 June | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | Mahikeng, Rustenburg | Mixed | Confirmed | Expect water pump disruptions |
Who Will Be Most Affected by the Outage?
The blackout will have widespread impact across all sectors. Below is a breakdown of the most vulnerable groups and systems:
- Schools and Students: Schools will be forced to cancel classes or shift to online-only formats. Parents should prepare for home supervision.
- Healthcare Facilities: Clinics and hospitals will switch to diesel-powered generators. Medical refrigerators and life-support systems will be prioritized.
- Commuters: Traffic signals, train stations, and taxi hubs may be without power during rush hours.
- Farmers and Agribusinesses: Irrigation systems and cold storage units could go offline in provinces like Limpopo and Northern Cape.
- Small Businesses and Retailers: Shorter operating hours and fewer customer transactions expected.
- Households in Rural Areas: Off-grid and low-income areas will struggle with water access and communications.
Government & Eskom’s Official Support Measures
Eskom has collaborated with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the Department of Energy to put emergency measures in place:
- Backup diesel generator fleets deployed to major hospitals and water purification plants.
- Water tanker dispatch plans for affected rural communities.
- Helpline expansion to reduce waiting times for queries and complaints.
- Security patrols enhanced in vulnerable areas to prevent cable theft during power cuts.
- Municipal coordination teams established for local-level response and updates.
Revised Load Shedding Framework Alongside Blackouts
In addition to the scheduled blackouts, Eskom will continue its Stage-based load shedding approach to manage surplus demand and sudden grid surges.
Updated Load Shedding Phases During June 2025
| Load Shedding Stage | Duration | Frequency | Affected Time Windows | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 3 | 4 Hours | Twice a day | 06:00–08:00, 17:00–19:00 | Prevent grid overload during peak demand |
| Stage 4 | 6 Hours | Once daily | 08:00–14:00 | Substation relief and transformer cooling |
| Stage 5 | 8 Hours | Alternate Days | 05:00–13:00 | Used during severe generation shortfalls |
Essential Preparation Checklist for Citizens
Residents and business owners are encouraged to take the following precautionary steps:
- Charge phones, power banks, and laptops fully before blackout hours
- Store extra water in buckets and jugs
- Keep flashlights, candles, and backup lights ready
- Have a first aid kit and emergency contact list available
- Use gas or solar alternatives for cooking
- Stock up on non-perishable food items
- Print out school or work materials in advance
- Fill up petrol tanks early in the week
- Secure cash due to ATM and card machine downtime
- Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage
This unprecedented 14-hour blackout initiative is a wake-up call for everyone—from government institutions to ordinary citizens. While the inconvenience is unavoidable, early planning can drastically reduce its impact on your household, business, or workplace. Stay tuned to official Eskom platforms, follow your local municipality’s alerts, and avoid misinformation circulating on social media.
How to Contact Eskom & Local Authorities for Support
For questions, updates, or to report local infrastructure issues, contact the following verified Eskom channels:
Eskom National Contact Centre
Phone: 0860 037 566
Email: [email protected]
Official Website: www.eskom.co.za
Regional Contacts:
- Western Cape: 021 469 1000
- Gauteng: 011 800 8111
- KwaZulu-Natal: 031 204 4600
- Limpopo: 015 299 9111
- Eastern Cape: 043 707 2111
FAQs – Your Questions Answered
Q1: Will all provinces experience blackouts on the same day?
A: No. The 14-hour blackout will follow a rotational schedule, with one or two provinces affected per day to minimize national disruption.
Q2: Can I claim insurance if my electronics are damaged during the blackout?
A: Check your home or business insurance policy. Most providers cover load shedding-related damage only if surge protectors were used.
Q3: Will water supply be cut in my area during the blackout?
A: Some municipalities will lose pump pressure. It is advisable to store water ahead of the blackout hours.
Q4: How will schools manage learning?
A: Many schools will close or operate on reduced hours. Some urban institutions may adopt digital learning temporarily.
Q5: Will businesses receive any compensation?
A: As of now, no government relief plan exists for businesses affected by the blackout. Financial losses should be mitigated through backup planning.