Stage 6 Load Shedding – South Africa is once again on the brink of a severe power crisis, as Eskom confirms the return of Stage 6 Load Shedding starting August 9, 2025. With the national electricity grid nearing collapse due to multiple unit breakdowns and insufficient emergency reserves, the country is bracing for extended power outages that could disrupt daily life, business operations, and essential services. Over the past few months, Eskom has been struggling to maintain stable power supply amid aging infrastructure, delayed maintenance, and limited diesel for open cycle gas turbines. While South Africans had briefly enjoyed a period of reduced load shedding in early July, the recent spike in demand during winter, coupled with technical failures, has pushed the utility back into emergency mode. The announcement of Stage 6 Load Shedding means residents could face up to 10 hours without electricity in a single day, depending on their location. This situation is further exacerbated by Eskom’s inability to secure adequate funding for diesel purchases and repairs, forcing them to rely heavily on demand reduction measures. The return of such high-level load shedding is expected to impact everything from food storage and telecommunications to health care and water pumping stations, raising concerns about economic losses and public safety.
What Is Causing the Stage 6 Load Shedding Emergency?
Eskom has cited a combination of severe issues that are driving the power crisis toward critical levels.
- Sudden breakdown of over 17,000MW worth of generation capacity
- Unplanned maintenance delays on key power stations
- Shortage of diesel for emergency generation units
- Cold winter weather increasing electricity demand
- Overloaded transmission lines due to regional imbalance
- Slow progress in bringing back previously offline units
- Lack of sufficient funding to purchase fuel and spares
- Theft and sabotage incidents at sub-stations and distribution centers
Schedule & Impact of Stage 6 Load Shedding From August 9
Stage 6 Load Shedding is one of the most severe stages, affecting millions of households and businesses nationwide. Eskom has released the planned schedule, but it is subject to changes based on grid stability.
| Date | Load Shedding Stage | Average Outage per Area | Affected Time Slots | Province-Wide Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 9 | Stage 6 | 8 to 10 hours daily | 04:00–06:30, 12:00–14:30… | All 9 provinces |
| August 10 | Stage 6 | 8 to 10 hours daily | 00:00–02:30, 08:00–10:30… | Urban + Rural areas |
| August 11 | Stage 6 | 9 to 10 hours daily | 06:00–08:30, 18:00–20:30… | Mostly Gauteng, KZN |
| August 12 | Stage 6 (TBC) | Subject to review | TBA | National rollout likely |
| August 13 | Stage 5 (Tentative) | May ease by 1 stage | TBA | Conditional |
| August 14 | Stage 5 or 4 | If diesel reserves are refilled | TBA | TBA |
| August 15 | Stage 4 | 4 to 6 hours daily | Revised | Regional variation |
How Stage 6 Load Shedding Will Affect Daily Life
The effects of Stage 6 go beyond just power outages. Here’s how different sectors and everyday services are expected to be impacted.
Health & Emergency Services
- Emergency surgeries and ICU facilities may face disruptions
- Ambulances and oxygen support equipment may face delays
- Vaccine and medicine refrigeration at risk in remote clinics
Education and Schools
- Digital learning platforms will be offline during key hours
- Schools without generators will cancel afternoon sessions
- Tertiary exams rescheduled due to blackout timing
Small Businesses and Shops
- Loss of sales due to card machines and fridges not working
- Bakery and food industry operations disrupted
- Higher costs for diesel generators or UPS systems
Telecommunications and Connectivity
- Cell phone towers may shut down after battery backup depletion
- Fibre internet routers and WiFi services affected
- Remote workers to experience network instability
Public Safety and Transport
- Increased cases of traffic light failures and road accidents
- Metro rail and e-hailing services to face long delays
- Crime risk rises in poorly lit neighborhoods
Eskom’s Official Statement & Crisis Response Plan
Eskom released a public statement confirming the situation and urged citizens to conserve energy wherever possible.
Eskom’s Crisis Points Shared in the Statement
- Diesel levels are critically low – running OCGTs sparingly
- Breakdown of 11 generating units across five stations
- No immediate recovery expected before mid-August
- Public urged to switch off geysers and pool pumps
- Grid remains highly volatile and can escalate to Stage 7
Proposed Relief Measures from the Government
| Department | Action Plan Announced | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Dept. | Releasing 20 million litres diesel reserve | In process |
| National Treasury | Emergency fund for fuel and spares | Under review |
| Municipalities | Request to lower public lighting usage | Active |
| SAPS & SANDF | Security deployed to protect substations | Active |
| Disaster Management | Load shedding shelters being prepared | Ongoing |
Provincial Impact – Who Will Be Hit the Hardest?
Each province is preparing differently, but certain regions are expected to suffer more due to weak infrastructure and higher demand.
Worst Affected Provinces by Region
- Gauteng – Highest population, dense load zones
- KwaZulu-Natal – Recovery from storm damages + high hospital dependency
- Eastern Cape – Poor rural infrastructure, few generators
- Free State – Heavy industrial areas expected to shut down
- Limpopo – Already experiencing water pump failures due to outages
Less Affected but Still Impacted
- Western Cape – Cape Town has municipal backup plans but will still face cuts
- Northern Cape – Low population density reduces overall strain
- Mpumalanga – Close to major stations, quicker maintenance response
How to Prepare for Load Shedding Stage 6 in August
Here are practical tips South Africans can follow to manage Stage 6 disruptions more effectively.
Load Shedding Survival Checklist
- Charge all devices and power banks before scheduled outages
- Keep battery-operated lights and torches ready
- Stock up on non-perishable foods that don’t need refrigeration
- Refill prescriptions and store essential medicines in cool containers
- Use surge protectors to avoid damage to electronics
- Plan your travel and work schedule around outage slots
- Keep cash at home for transactions during downtime
- Invest in inverters or backup solar lighting if possible
Departmental Contact Details for Assistance and Reporting
Below are key contact points for citizens needing help during load shedding or to report faults:
| Department/Service | Contact Number | Email/Website | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Support | 08600 37566 | customerservices@eskom.co.za | Report outages, schedule info |
| City Power (Johannesburg) | 011 490 7000 | www.citypower.co.za | City load shedding queries |
| Cape Town Municipality | 0800 103 089 | power@capetown.gov.za | Municipal schedule & relief info |
| Gauteng Disaster Line | 0800 428 8364 | emergency@gauteng.gov.za | Emergency support during blackout |
| National Energy Crisis Centre | 0800 222 277 | www.energycrisis.gov.za | General power crisis updates |
| NERSA Complaints | 012 401 4600 | complaints@nersa.org.za | Tariff & Eskom service complaints |
| SAPS Crime Report Line | 10111 | – | Crime reporting during blackouts |
South Africans are urged to stay calm and prepared during this emergency period. Although Eskom is struggling to stabilize the grid, citizen cooperation and awareness can help reduce the collective burden until more permanent solutions are implemented.
FAQs of Stage 6 Load Shedding
1. What does Stage 6 Load Shedding mean?
It means up to 10 hours of power outages daily, with multiple 2-4 hour slots.
2. When will Stage 6 end?
Eskom says the situation will be reviewed after August 13, but no guarantees have been made.
3. Can I get a fixed load shedding schedule?
Yes, visit Eskom’s website or your local municipality’s portal for daily schedules.
4. Will hospitals be exempt?
Most major hospitals have backup generators, but smaller clinics may still be affected.
5. What should I do during an outage?
Use torches instead of candles, keep devices charged, and avoid opening fridges often.