June 2025 Load Shedding – Eskom has officially declared Stage 6 load shedding for June 2025, triggering daily power outages of up to 14 hours in several parts of the country. The move comes amid critical energy shortages, worsened by ongoing maintenance delays, breakdowns of generation units, and an increase in winter electricity demand. This sudden increase in blackout duration has sparked widespread concern among citizens and businesses alike, especially in major provinces such as Gauteng, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. As Eskom attempts to stabilize the grid and prevent a national collapse, South Africans are being urged to drastically cut electricity usage and prepare for extended power interruptions.
Why Eskom Has Reintroduced Severe Load Shedding in June 2025
The decision to escalate load shedding to Stage 6 is driven by multiple operational failures within Eskom’s aging infrastructure. Eskom confirmed that over 15,000 megawatts of power were lost due to unplanned outages, while scheduled maintenance work remains behind schedule. Increased electricity usage due to cold weather has further burdened the limited supply. Additionally, Eskom’s reliance on diesel to run gas turbines is unsustainable as fuel costs rise and supply runs low. These factors combined have left the national grid vulnerable and in urgent need of stabilization.
- Over 15,000 MW lost due to unexpected equipment failures.
- Scheduled maintenance is running behind time.
- Winter demand has sharply increased electricity usage.
- Diesel shortages make running turbines costly and limited.
- Public urged to save power to avoid national grid failure.
Provinces and Cities Most Affected in June 2025
Eskom’s schedule shows disproportionate blackouts in certain provinces, largely due to infrastructure challenges, local transformer capacities, and municipal cooperation levels. These regions are facing the longest and most frequent outages.
Residents in Gauteng are expected to face the worst of the cuts, with daily outages of up to 14 hours affecting areas like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Ekurhuleni. Similarly, communities in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are also facing extended blackouts due to regional generation shortfalls.
Here’s a list of provinces currently reporting the highest frequency of blackouts:
- Gauteng: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Midrand
- Northern Cape: Kimberley, Upington
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay
- Eastern Cape: East London, Mthatha, Port Elizabeth
- Limpopo: Polokwane, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou
- North West: Rustenburg, Mahikeng
Eskom’s Official Load Shedding Timetable for June 2025
The following table provides a detailed look at the current load shedding schedule across key provinces. Residents are advised to consult their local municipality websites or apps such as EskomSePush for the most accurate and updated schedules.
| Province | Region | Load Shedding Hours | Time Slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | Johannesburg | 14 hours | 00:00–04:00, 08:00–18:00 |
| Northern Cape | Kimberley | 13 hours | 02:00–06:00, 10:00–19:00 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Durban | 12 hours | 03:00–07:00, 12:00–20:00 |
| Eastern Cape | East London | 14 hours | 01:00–05:00, 09:00–19:00 |
| Limpopo | Polokwane | 13 hours | 04:00–08:00, 11:00–20:00 |
| Western Cape | Cape Town CBD | 10 hours | 05:00–09:00, 15:00–21:00 |
| Free State | Bloemfontein | 12 hours | 06:00–10:00, 14:00–22:00 |
| North West | Rustenburg | 13 hours | 00:00–04:00, 12:00–21:00 |
Impact on Daily Life and Business
The implications of Stage 6 load shedding are widespread and far-reaching. Households face longer hours without electricity, affecting everything from food storage to home heating. Schools and universities are struggling to maintain their schedules, while small businesses without alternative power sources are suffering serious operational setbacks.
Healthcare facilities are also feeling the strain. While hospitals are generally exempt or given priority, smaller clinics and community health centers often experience blackouts that disrupt essential services like refrigeration of vaccines or running diagnostic equipment.
From a business perspective, industries that rely on consistent power — such as manufacturing, retail, and food services — are incurring losses. Backup generators provide only limited relief, with diesel prices soaring amid high demand.
Government officials are warning that the current situation could deepen if public cooperation falters. Citizens are being asked to treat the situation as a national emergency and take all necessary precautions.
Government and Eskom’s Official Response
The Department of Public Enterprises, in conjunction with Eskom, has initiated a set of emergency measures aimed at alleviating the crisis. These include procurement of diesel from neighboring countries, acceleration of maintenance on out-of-service units, and negotiations with private energy producers for supplementary power.
Authorities have also launched a public awareness campaign under the banner “Save Power, Save South Africa,” encouraging responsible consumption and the use of energy-efficient appliances.
Eskom has promised daily updates on the state of the grid and is requesting that citizens report illegal electricity connections, which further strain the supply and increase the risk of system failures.
The government insists that these measures are temporary and part of a broader transition to a more stable and sustainable energy system, which includes solar, wind, and independent power producers.
How to Stay Prepared During Load Shedding
Given the unpredictability of power cuts, residents are encouraged to take precautionary steps. Proper planning can help minimize the inconvenience caused by extended outages.
Here are key preparation tips:
- Download the EskomSePush or Loadshedding Notifier apps for schedule alerts.
- Charge mobile phones and laptops fully before scheduled outages.
- Use gas-based cooking appliances to reduce dependence on electric stoves.
- Keep emergency lighting (like rechargeable bulbs or torches) ready.
- Stock up on non-perishable food items and bottled water.
- Consider investing in solar-powered chargers or small inverters for essential devices.
- Back up important digital files and maintain hard copies of key documents.
South Africa’s power grid is under severe strain, and the onset of Stage 6 load shedding is a critical reminder of the need for energy reform. Eskom’s efforts, while reactive, are intended to stabilize the system and prevent a total blackout. However, the success of these measures depends heavily on public cooperation.
Citizens, businesses, and local governments must work in tandem to conserve power, stay informed, and plan for ongoing interruptions. While these are difficult times, collective effort and responsible usage can help ease the burden until long-term solutions are in place.
Contact Details for Load Shedding Assistance
Eskom Customer Support
Phone: 08600 37566
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.eskom.co.za
Department of Public Enterprises
Phone: 012 431 1000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dpe.gov.za
City Power Johannesburg
Phone: 011 490 7000
Website: www.citypower.co.za
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Will load shedding affect all suburbs equally?
No. Load shedding is rotated between areas based on Eskom’s regional balancing needs and the local municipality’s load distribution capabilities.
Q2: Are businesses and schools exempt from load shedding?
Only critical infrastructure such as hospitals may be exempt. Schools and businesses must follow standard schedules unless they operate within priority zones.
Q3: How long will Stage 6 load shedding continue?
No end date has been given. Eskom has stated the situation will be reviewed weekly depending on demand and recovery of generating units.
Q4: Can residents claim compensation for load shedding damage?
No. Eskom does not offer compensation for damages caused by power outages or surges.
Q5: Is it safe to use generators indoors?
No. Generators should only be used in well-ventilated outdoor spaces to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.