Eskom Stage 6 Load Shedding – As South Africa enters another challenging month of power instability, a leaked Eskom document has revealed the detailed Stage 6 load shedding schedule for August 2025. This alarming schedule indicates that households across the country could face up to 10 hours of daily electricity cuts, a reality that’s reigniting public frustration and fear. Eskom’s aging infrastructure, combined with maintenance backlogs and fuel supply issues, has pushed the national grid to the edge of collapse once again. This isn’t the first time South Africans have had to adapt to rolling blackouts, but the scale and duration forecasted for this month are especially severe. Businesses, schools, hospitals, and households are all set to suffer as the country tries to avoid a total grid failure. The leaked schedule also points to significant disruptions in urban and rural areas alike, with some communities reportedly scheduled for two to three blackout sessions per day. The Department of Public Enterprises and Eskom have not formally confirmed the leaked schedule, but mounting reports from regional municipalities seem to align with the circulating documents. Whether or not this schedule is officially acknowledged, citizens are being urged to prepare for the worst-case scenario and plan accordingly to safeguard essential needs.
Overview of Eskom Stage 6 Load Shedding for August 2025
Stage 6 load shedding means South Africa will be losing 6,000 MW from the national grid due to insufficient supply and high demand. This is a critical emergency level, generally reserved for dire situations.
- Households can expect up to 10 hours of blackouts daily
- Load shedding will occur in blocks of 2 to 4 hours, multiple times a day
- Essential services will be prioritized but may still be affected
- Large cities and smaller municipalities are all included
- Grid maintenance is cited as the primary reason
- Peak hours (morning and evening) will be the most affected
- Rolling schedules may be adjusted with short notice
August 2025 Eskom Stage 6 Load Shedding Schedule Breakdown
The table below outlines a sample block schedule for urban areas under Stage 6, rotating every 4 days.
| Time Slot | Region A | Region B | Region C | Region D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:00 – 06:30 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 08:00 – 10:30 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
| 12:00 – 14:30 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 16:00 – 18:30 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
| 20:00 – 22:30 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
| 00:00 – 02:30 | ON | OFF | ON | OFF |
| 02:30 – 04:00 | OFF | ON | OFF | ON |
Impacted Sectors and Daily Challenges to Expect by Eskom Stage 6 Load Shedding
With extended power cuts, nearly every sector of society will be impacted. Citizens must plan for water shortages, food spoilage, internet disruptions, and interrupted work-from-home arrangements.
Top Disruptions Expected in August 2025
- School learning schedules will be heavily affected
- Water pumping stations may shut down during outages
- ATMs and banking infrastructure will remain down for hours
- Traffic lights non-functional, increasing road accidents
- Food businesses will face refrigeration challenges
- Home offices will lose productivity due to no Wi-Fi/power
- Hospitals will rely heavily on generators, risking failure
Emergency Measures Citizens Should Take
During periods of prolonged load shedding, proactive steps can help mitigate the worst effects of blackouts.
- Stock up on non-perishable food and bottled water
- Keep power banks charged at all times
- Use gas for cooking wherever possible
- Invest in solar-powered lights and small inverters
- Freeze bottles of water to help preserve food longer
- Plan daily tasks around scheduled blackout times
- Stay updated via battery-powered radios or SMS alerts
Government’s Role and Emergency Energy Crisis Interventions
The South African government has been under pressure for years to fix the energy crisis. However, tangible progress has been slow. The current escalation has led to renewed promises.
Government Measures Under Consideration
- Deploying diesel generators to critical sites
- Fast-tracking independent power producer (IPP) integration
- Importing emergency electricity from neighboring countries
- Prioritizing transformer and substation upgrades
- Emergency declaration for energy sector reforms
What the Department of Public Enterprises Is Saying
The Department is reportedly reviewing the Eskom board’s latest contingency plans. Public Enterprises Minister is expected to release a national update by mid-August, outlining state interventions.
Regional Blackout Hotspots and Worst-Hit Provinces
Not all areas are affected equally under Stage 6. The following table highlights estimated outage durations across key provinces.
| Province | Estimated Daily Outage | Affected Municipalities |
|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 9-10 hours | Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni |
| Western Cape | 8-9 hours | Cape Town, George, Stellenbosch |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 10 hours | Durban, Pietermaritzburg |
| Eastern Cape | 9-10 hours | Gqeberha, East London |
| Limpopo | 8 hours | Polokwane, Thohoyandou |
| Mpumalanga | 10 hours | Nelspruit, Witbank |
| North West | 9 hours | Mahikeng, Rustenburg |
| Free State | 8-9 hours | Bloemfontein, Welkom |
What to Do If You Suspect a Schedule Violation or Need Urgent Help
Eskom has set up customer support channels for reporting irregular schedules, damaged transformers, and life-support cases.
Eskom Emergency Contact Points
| Department | Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Support | Toll-Free Call | 0860 037 566 |
| Report Outages | SMS | Send “OUTAGE” + area to 35328 |
| Municipal Electricity Dept | Local Municipality | Contact via regional office |
| Life Support Equipment | Registration Hotline | 012 406 2052 |
| Load Shedding Updates | info@eskom.co.za | |
| Eskom App Support | Mobile App/Online | Download via Play Store/App Store |
| Fault Logging | WhatsApp Bot | +27 60 412 4108 |
South Africans are once again urged to prepare for the harsh realities of prolonged blackouts. From rethinking daily routines to stocking up on essentials, every household must now act with urgency. Until a long-term solution arrives, resilience remains the only defense.
FAQs of Eskom Stage 6 Load Shedding
1. What does Stage 6 load shedding mean?
It means 6,000 MW are removed from the grid, causing power cuts multiple times per day.
2. How many hours will power be off during Stage 6?
Up to 10 hours daily, usually in blocks of 2–4 hours.
3. Is there any official confirmation from Eskom about the leaked schedule?
No official confirmation, but municipalities are acting based on the leak.
4. Can I check my area’s load shedding times online?
Yes, via EskomSePush app or your municipality’s official site.
5. Will hospitals and emergency services also lose power?
Most have backup generators, but load shedding can still cause disruption.