14-Hour Load Shedding – South African citizens, particularly those in Gauteng, Northern Cape, and select other provinces, should brace for a significant disruption in daily life as a new 14-hour load shedding schedule has been released. According to recent updates from Eskom and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), this long blackout period is part of a critical infrastructure upgrade and maintenance initiative aimed at stabilizing the national power grid. The full blackout timetable will affect both metropolitan and rural areas, making it essential for all residents, including social grant beneficiaries, to prepare accordingly. Delays in digital services, grant disbursements, and banking access are expected. SASSA has urged all grant recipients to take necessary precautions, including withdrawing funds in advance and staying informed via official platforms.
Why the 14-Hour Load Shedding Is Necessary
Power generation and distribution infrastructure in South Africa, particularly in older urban areas and remote municipalities, has been under massive strain. Eskom, the country’s electricity public utility, has faced ongoing challenges related to aging systems, limited generation capacity, and increased demand. To mitigate the risk of widespread system failure, authorities have opted for a proactive approach that involves long-duration planned outages. This load shedding period is designed to give technicians sufficient time to conduct essential maintenance and install new safety and efficiency upgrades.
- Reduces risk of complete grid collapse
- Allows time for urgent maintenance and upgrades
- Prevents unplanned outages in high-demand areas
- Supports long-term electricity supply stability
- Helps manage limited power generation efficiently
14-Hour Load Shedding Schedule by Region (June 2025)
SASSA and Eskom have jointly released a detailed blackout timetable for June 2025. The 14-hour power cuts will be implemented across multiple regions on different dates, affecting both metro and rural communities. Residents are urged to check their specific area’s schedule to avoid service disruptions and prepare in advance.
This upcoming schedule will affect multiple suburbs within Gauteng and Northern Cape. The blackout will occur across different dates, each lasting approximately 14 hours.
| Region | Start Time | End Time | Date | Affected Suburbs | Expected Outage Duration | Responsible Substation | Notification ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng – North | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | June 3 | Centurion, Soshanguve | 14 Hours | Pretoria North Station | GTPWR3301 |
| Gauteng – West | 05:30 AM | 07:30 PM | June 4 | Krugersdorp, Randfontein | 14 Hours | Rand West Station | GTPWR3302 |
| Northern Cape | 07:00 AM | 09:00 PM | June 5 | Kimberley, Upington | 14 Hours | NC Grid Station A | NCPWR8821 |
| Gauteng – East | 08:00 AM | 10:00 PM | June 6 | Springs, Boksburg | 14 Hours | East Rand Station | GTPWR3303 |
| Gauteng – Central | 06:30 AM | 08:30 PM | June 7 | Soweto, Johannesburg CBD | 14 Hours | City Power Substation | GTPWR3304 |
| Northern Cape | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | June 8 | Kuruman, Kathu | 14 Hours | NC Grid Station B | NCPWR8822 |
| Gauteng – South | 07:30 AM | 09:30 PM | June 9 | Vereeniging, Alberton | 14 Hours | Midvaal Station | GTPWR3305 |
| Other Regions | 06:00 AM | 08:00 PM | June 10 | Select rural municipalities | 14 Hours | Regional Feeders | MIXED3333 |
Impact on SASSA Services and Payments
The lengthy outages will not only affect homes and businesses but also essential services provided by SASSA. Beneficiaries who rely on digital transactions, mobile app notifications, and ATMs for receiving their social grants should expect service interruptions during these periods.
These service disruptions may include:
- Delayed or failed ATM withdrawals using SASSA cards
- Inability to access SASSA’s online services or update personal details
- Unresponsive regional call centers during blackout hours
- Disruptions in grant verification and approval processes
- Delayed grant payments in areas with disrupted network connectivity
SASSA encourages all grant recipients to act ahead of time to minimize the impact. This includes checking their balances, withdrawing money in advance, and ensuring alternative ways to receive information.
Alternative Arrangements During the 14-Hour Load Shedding
To assist communities during the power cuts, Eskom and local municipalities are working to deploy several support systems.
Key arrangements include:
- Deployment of mobile SASSA support vans with generators
- Temporary help desks at community halls and schools
- Emergency cash vans stationed at shopping centers
- Availability of prepaid electricity recharge kiosks
- Coordination with local retailers to ensure grant access points remain operational
These efforts aim to help vulnerable individuals—especially pensioners, disabled grant holders, and caregivers—retain access to their necessary benefits.
What You Can Do to Prepare
Residents and grant recipients are advised to follow these precautionary measures ahead of the planned load shedding:
- Charge all mobile devices, lamps, and power banks fully the night before
- Purchase non-perishable food and store water for the day
- Withdraw social grant payments early to avoid ATM downtime
- Keep printed or written versions of important phone numbers and SASSA IDs
- Plan travel, shopping, and doctor visits before or after blackout hours
- Stay informed through SASSA’s SMS or WhatsApp updates
These small steps can significantly reduce the inconvenience caused by the long blackout hours.
How to Access SASSA Grant Payments Without Delay
To ensure uninterrupted access to social assistance during the scheduled outages:
- Make grant withdrawals at least 24 hours before your area’s scheduled blackout
- Use SASSA partner outlets such as Boxer, Pick n Pay, Checkers, and Shoprite that may have generator backups
- Refer to the official grant payment calendar available on SASSA’s website
- Visit the nearest SASSA mobile support center in your municipality if you’re facing technical difficulties
By planning ahead and using alternative access points, most grant recipients should be able to avoid major disruption.
South Africans have grown all too familiar with the inconveniences of load shedding. However, this particular 14-hour schedule has added urgency because it directly impacts essential services like SASSA grant disbursements and digital welfare systems.
Preparation is key. By understanding the schedule, taking preemptive steps, and using alternative arrangements, citizens can protect themselves from unnecessary disruptions. As always, use trusted and official sources for updates, and help spread awareness within your community to ensure no one is left in the dark—literally or figuratively.
SASSA and Eskom Contact Details for Assistance
| Department | Purpose | Contact Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| SASSA National | General grant inquiries | 0800 60 10 11 | [email protected] |
| Gauteng SASSA | Regional services and disruptions | 011 241 8320 | [email protected] |
| Northern Cape SASSA | Area-specific queries | 053 802 4910 | [email protected] |
| Eskom Call Centre | Load shedding updates | 0860 037 566 | [email protected] |
| City Power JHB | Johannesburg power faults info | 011 490 7484 | [email protected] |
FAQs about 14-Hour Load Shedding
Q1: Will the 14-hour load shedding be nationwide?
No, only targeted areas in Gauteng, Northern Cape, and select rural regions are included in the current schedule.
Q2: Can I still access SASSA services online during these hours?
Service availability will be limited in affected areas. It’s recommended to use online platforms during non-blackout hours.
Q3: Will retailers still accept SASSA cards during load shedding?
Only those with operational generators and network access can continue processing transactions.
Q4: How will I be notified if my area is affected?
You can register your mobile number with SASSA’s official SMS alert system or follow them on their verified social media accounts.
Q5: What if I need urgent help during the blackout?
You can contact SASSA regional offices, use the emergency contact numbers provided, or approach the nearest mobile SASSA support van.