Here Are the Gauteng Areas Affected by Eskom Load Reduction This Week

Soweto, Sebokeng, Ivory Park and others hit by power cuts from 14 to 20 July

If you’ve noticed your lights going out like clockwork, you’re not alone. Eskom has released its updated load reduction schedule for Gauteng and it’s going to be a tough week for many communities.

From Monday, 14 July to Sunday, 20 July 2025, areas across the province will continue facing power cuts during peak morning and evening hours. This isn’t load shedding, it’s load reduction, Eskom’s targeted programme aimed at limiting electricity losses due to illegal connections and overloaded infrastructure.

How long will the power be off?

Residents in affected zones can expect outages of up to six hours daily split between early mornings (5am to 9am) and evenings (5pm to 10pm). While not every suburb is hit every day, the outages rotate on a weekly schedule, making it vital to check your area’s timing.

Morning load reduction (5am–9am):

• Vereeniging

• Beverly Hills

• Soweto (including Orlando East and Riverside)

Evening load reduction (5pm–10pm):

• Protea South

• Chiawelo

• Mavimbela

• Mokoena

• Monise

• Various parts of Orange Farm and Soweto

• Hlongwane, Moseleke, Tshongweni, Mapanga, Nhlapo

New areas affected this week (14–20 July):

• Cuba

• Graceland

• Garankuwa

• Vryburg

• Dobsonville

• Naledi

• Ivory Park Extensions

• Zuma

• Sebokeng

“It feels like punishment” residents speak out

Social media platforms are once again flooded with complaints from Gauteng residents, especially those in high-density townships. “It’s like we’re being punished for being poor,” one Soweto resident tweeted. Others point out that scheduled cuts are hitting small businesses hard, with limited access to generators or backup power.

Local electrician Lebo Mokoena from Naledi says he’s seen an uptick in damaged appliances and frustrated customers: “People don’t realise that load reduction is different from load shedding. It can be unpredictable if Eskom changes the times without warning.”

Why load reduction, not load shedding?

Eskom says load reduction is preventative, meant to avoid network overload and permanent damage in areas where illegal connections are rife. While controversial, the utility argues it’s necessary to protect infrastructure and ensure supply stability to paying customers.

How to stay prepared

• Download the Eskom load reduction schedule for your area from their website

• Charge phones and power banks before 5am and 5pm

• Unplug appliances during outages to avoid power surge damage

• Use solar lights or battery-powered alternatives if possible

Despite frustrations, Eskom maintains the cuts are essential, but for many Gauteng residents, it’s just another layer of inequality in a system that’s supposed to serve everyone.

Need to check if your area is listed?
Download the official schedule: Load-reduction-schedule-GAUTENG-JULY-2025 from Eskom’s website or visit their social media channels for updates.

{Source: The Citizen}

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