Load Shedding Stage 6 Schedule Released for July – Up to 10-Hour Power Cuts Daily From July 3

Load Shedding Stage 6 – South Africa is once again facing severe power cuts as Eskom officially announces the implementation of Load Shedding Stage 6 starting from July 3, 2025. This announcement has triggered nationwide concern, as households and businesses brace for power outages lasting up to 10 hours each day. The announcement was made due to increased pressure on the national grid, fuel shortages, and ongoing plant breakdowns. Stage 6 load shedding means that power will be cut multiple times a day in most regions, drastically affecting daily life, commerce, and essential services. This marks one of the harshest rounds of electricity rationing the country has seen in recent years. With Stage 6 being a critical level, Eskom is expected to remove around 6,000 MW from the grid daily, which impacts both residential areas and industries. For businesses, especially small enterprises, this translates to major losses, while residents fear for their food storage, security systems, and daily routines. Citizens are urged to check the area-wise blackout timings and prepare accordingly to mitigate disruption. Municipalities and metro areas have been asked to update their load shedding rosters on an urgent basis. The electricity provider has also warned that the situation may remain unstable for several weeks, depending on the recovery of generating units and fuel availability. In light of the situation, we have compiled a complete, detailed breakdown of the Stage 6 schedule, region-wise cut timings, and guidance on how to cope with the ongoing crisis.

Table of Contents

Load Shedding Stage 6 Begins July 3: What You Need to Know

Stage 6 means that most households will experience power outages 3 to 4 times a day, lasting 2 to 4 hours each time. The schedule is rotational and follows a block-based system.

Load Shedding officially starts from July 3, 2025
Power cuts may last up to 10 hours in total per day
Applies to both urban and rural areas
Major metros have released individual block timetables
Load is shed in 4- to 6-hour gaps between outages
Industries and essential services get limited exemptions
Most municipalities follow Eskom’s default block rotation plan

High-Impact Cities and Their Load Shedding Stage 6 Blocks

Here is a detailed table showing estimated outage periods for key metros under Stage 6 rotation. Each block represents a group of suburbs or areas.

City/Metro	Block 1 Timings	Block 2 Timings	Block 3 Timings	Daily Total Outage
Johannesburg	04:00–06:30	12:00–14:30	20:00–22:30	6.5 Hours
Cape Town	06:00–08:30	14:00–16:30	22:00–00:30	6.5 Hours
Tshwane (Pretoria)	02:00–04:30	10:00–12:30	18:00–20:30	6.5 Hours
Durban (eThekwini)	05:00–07:30	13:00–15:30	21:00–23:30	6.5 Hours
Bloemfontein	03:00–05:30	11:00–13:30	19:00–21:30	6.5 Hours
Nelson Mandela Bay	01:00–03:30	09:00–11:30	17:00–19:30	6.5 Hours
Polokwane	07:00–09:30	15:00–17:30	23:00–01:30	6.5 Hours

Eskom’s Official Reasons for Load Shedding Stage 6 Activation

Eskom issued a press release highlighting several critical causes behind the implementation of Stage 6.

Statements from Eskom Management and Authorities

Senior officials from Eskom and energy regulators have confirmed that this stage may continue for a few weeks if no generation units are restored soon.

Eskom’s Interim CEO: “We are doing everything possible to return units to service.”
NERSA: “The current load shedding levels were necessary for national grid safety.”
Minister of Public Enterprises: “Expect daily updates until the situation improves.”
South African Weather Service: “Unfavorable weather conditions reducing solar/wind generation.”

Area-Wise Load Shedding Block Numbers and Times

Each metro area follows a predefined block numbering system. Check your local municipality’s website or use Eskom’s Load Shedding App to identify your block.

Province	Major City	Block Number	Timing Example	Website/App Required
Gauteng	Johannesburg	Block 7	04:00–06:30	City Power, Eskom App
Western Cape	Cape Town	Block 5	06:00–08:30	LoadShedding.com
KZN	Durban	Block 3	13:00–15:30	eThekwini.gov.za
Eastern Cape	Gqeberha	Block 8	01:00–03:30	NelsonMandelaBay.gov
Limpopo	Polokwane	Block 6	07:00–09:30	EskomSePush App
Free State	Bloemfontein	Block 2	11:00–13:30	Mangaung.gov.za
North West	Rustenburg	Block 4	09:00–11:30	Local Municipality

How to Find Your Area’s Load Shedding Timings

You can identify your area’s block number and rotation schedule by using:

EskomSePush App (most accurate real-time updates)
Municipality SMS or email alerts
Official city council websites
Social media alerts by local officials
Eskom Twitter updates for urgent changes

Essential Tips to Survive Stage 6 Load Shedding

Residents are advised to follow proactive steps to reduce impact and protect their property and food supplies.

Charge all devices during power-on hours
Keep backup batteries for WiFi and phones
Use rechargeable lights and emergency lamps
Stock up on canned, non-perishable food
Keep a battery-powered radio or emergency alert system
Disconnect sensitive appliances before cuts begin
Store water in advance, especially if using electric pumps

Backup Power Solutions That Work in Load Shedding

If you can afford backup, here are the most reliable choices South Africans are turning to.

Inverter + Battery Kits (Runs essentials like WiFi, lights)
Petrol/Diesel Generators (Good for larger households/business)
Solar + Battery Backup (Expensive but long-term)
Gas stoves/heaters (Alternative to electric appliances)
UPS Systems for Computers and Routers

Safety Measures to Follow During Power Cuts

Power outages also bring increased safety risks like fire hazards or security concerns. Follow these guidelines:

Never leave candles unattended – use solar lamps instead
Ensure gates and garage doors have manual override
Install burglar bars and battery-powered alarms
Use surge protectors for all electronics
Don’t overload generators or extension cords
Maintain proper ventilation if using gas appliances

Why Load Shedding Could Get Worse Before It Gets Better

Experts suggest that unless Eskom fixes critical maintenance and infrastructure backlogs, South Africa may face frequent Stage 6 or even Stage 8 load shedding in coming months.

Load Shedding July 2025: Complete Timetable (Sample)

Here’s a general daily pattern most metro areas will follow. Check your block for accuracy.

Time Slot	Affected Blocks	Notes
00:00 – 02:30	Block 1, 4	Early morning blackout
04:00 – 06:30	Block 2, 5	High morning usage period
08:00 – 10:30	Block 3, 6	Mid-morning cut
12:00 – 14:30	Block 1, 7	Noon blackout
16:00 – 18:30	Block 4, 8	Evening peak hour outage
20:00 – 22:30	Block 2, 5	Night load shedding

South Africans are urged to remain calm but vigilant. Prepare smartly, follow official updates, and explore off-grid solutions if possible. Load Shedding Stage 6 is tough—but with the right information and tools, you can reduce its impact on your life.

FAQs of Load Shedding Stage 6

Q1. What does Stage 6 Load Shedding mean?
Stage 6 means up to 6,000 MW is removed from the grid and outages occur multiple times a day.

Q2. Will Stage 6 continue beyond July?
If power generation doesn’t improve, Stage 6 could remain for several weeks.

Q3. How do I know my load shedding schedule?
Check your municipality website, the EskomSePush App, or Eskom’s online portal.

Q4. Will hospitals and schools face blackouts?
Critical institutions usually get exemptions but may still face minimal impact.

Q5. Can I claim damage for appliances?
Only if you can prove Eskom was at fault and you’ve filed proper documentation.

Q6. Are smart meters affected?
No, smart meters still record usage even during outages.

Q7. Will solar panels help?
Yes, if paired with battery storage. Solar-only setups won’t help during nighttime cuts.