Gauteng Braces for Week-Long Scheduled Power Cuts

Residents across Gauteng are being urged to prepare for a challenging week as Eskom continues its scheduled load reduction program. The power utility has announced that multiple areas will face intermittent outages during peak hours, with some disruptions lasting up to five hours.

The planned interruptions come amid ongoing strain on the national electricity grid, as Eskom seeks to manage peak demand while preventing unplanned blackouts.

Morning Outages Affecting Dozens of Areas

In the mornings, between 5am and 9am, several communities will experience scheduled cuts. Among the most affected areas are:

• Johannesburg townships: Dobsonville, Naledi, Rethabiseng, Kudube, Moroka, Dhlamini, Klipspruit, Chiawelo, Khutsong, Tsakane

• Vaal Triangle towns: Orange Farm, Stretford, Sharpeville, Elandsfontein, Evaton, Sebokeng, Zonkizizwe, Katlehong, Moleleki, Magagula Heights

• Other settlements: Dube, Mololo, Meadowlands, Phiri, Riverside, Hillside, Jabavu, Rietvallei, Slooville

Residents are advised to plan essential activities and ensure critical appliances are charged during these hours. Businesses, especially those relying on electricity for operations, are also urged to adjust schedules or arrange backup power.

Evening Outages Hit More Communities

Eskom’s evening load reductions, scheduled from 5pm to 10pm, will impact a wide range of areas across the province. These include:

• Mabopane, Winterveldt, Jabulani, Emdeni, Zola, Monise, Mokoena, Mavimbela, Zuma

• Ramakonopi, Radebe, Moseleke, Vosloorus, Mabuja Park, Ap Khumalo, Kwenele, Moleleki

• Klipgat, Didinburg Gardens, Tsebe, Palime, Tsolo, Phooko, Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge, Duduza, Meadowlands, Kagiso

Additional zones in the Vereeniging regionincluding Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Boitumelo, Evaton Small Farms, Beverley Hills, Ermphopheni, and Eluvluvawill also see intermittent outages.

How Residents Can Prepare

Local residents are taking to social media to share tips on coping with load shedding, from charging devices overnight to storing drinking water and limiting high-energy activities during peak hours. Many have highlighted concerns for households with medical equipment, small businesses, and students needing electricity for online learning.

Some have pointed out the added strain on already hot summer days, noting that air conditioning and refrigeration are particularly affected.

Experts advise keeping flashlights, portable power banks, and alternative cooking methods ready, and checking Eskom’s official load shedding app or website daily for updates, as schedules can change based on grid conditions.

A Continuing Challenge

Gauteng’s week of scheduled outages reflects the ongoing pressure on South Africa’s electricity supply, which faces aging infrastructure and high demand during peak times. Eskom has emphasized that while the cuts are inconvenient, they are necessary to avoid more widespread unplanned blackouts.

Residents and businesses alike are being reminded that staying informed and prepared is the best way to navigate the week ahead.

Download Schedule: Load-reduction-schedule-GAUTENG-January-2026-1

{Source: The Citizen}

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