Gauteng braces for rotational load reduction outages this week

As Eskom continues to manage electricity demand, several areas across Gauteng will face rotational load reduction outages this week. While South Africa recently celebrated 300 consecutive days without load shedding, the power utility has warned that select regions will still experience planned interruptions to balance the grid.

Despite national relief from traditional load shedding, Eskom says these controlled outages are part of a seven-day rotational schedule designed to prevent sudden system failures during peak hours.

“Some areas may face outages of up to four to five hours,” an Eskom spokesperson said.

Morning and evening schedules

Load reduction in the mornings, between 5am and 9am, will affect communities including Orange Farm and its extensions, Monise, Mokoena, Mavimbela, Zuma, Ramakonopi and Ramakonopi East, Radebe and Sali Mngadi, Moseleke, Ndhlazi, Cala, Hlongwane, and Mfundo Park Ext 30B.

Other morning-affected areas include Tsakane, parts of Garankuwa extensions, Ivory Park extensions, Protea Glen, Rabie Ridge, and Duduza.

Evening outages, from 5pm to 10pm, will hit regions including City of Johannesburg Rural Lakeside, Orange Farm extensions, Streford extensions, Sharpeville and surrounding areas, Tshepiso, Elandsfontein AH, Homestead Apple Orchards AH-West, Ironside AH-West, and Vereeniging. Additional zones include Drumblade, Klipview, Sebokeng, Vosloorus, Evaton Central, Small Farms, and Balmoral Estates.

Other affected areas

Residents in Mofolo South, Tsakane, Zithobeni extensions, Magagula Heights, Spruit View, Mngadi, Chiawelo, Langaville, Diepkloof zones 1-6, Winterveldt extensions, and Orlando East are also expected to be impacted.

Eskom encourages affected residents to plan around these interruptions, particularly during peak electricity use in the mornings and evenings, and to conserve energy wherever possible.

Local reaction and context

On social media, residents expressed mixed reactions, with some relieved that traditional load shedding had been avoided, while others voiced frustration at recurring localised power cuts. Many households in affected zones are adjusting their schedules to minimize disruptions to work and schooling, with small businesses particularly wary of potential losses.

Energy experts note that rotational load reduction is a proactive measure that keeps the national grid stable and prevents unplanned blackouts, especially during periods of high demand.

For a detailed schedule of which areas are affected and when, Eskom has made a downloadable guide available on its official website.

Download: Load-reduction-GAUTENG-MARCH-2026-2