Stage 6 Load Shedding: I Survived 72 Hours – Here’s My Exact Blueprint
⚡ Hour-by-hour survival guide for 8-10 hours without power daily
Load Shedding | Updated January 2025 | 22 min read | Based on Real Stage 6 Experience
Let me paint the picture: It’s December 2023. Eskom announces Stage 6 “until further notice.” My suburb gets hit with THREE 4-hour slots in 24 hours. That’s 10 hours without power. Every. Single. Day.
My fridge died on day 2. Lost R3,000 in food. Alarm battery gave up during slot 2. Criminals tried their luck during slot 3. By day 3, I was taking notes like a madman, determined to crack the Stage 6 survival code.
This guide is those notes – refined after helping 50+ neighbors survive the same nightmare.
⏰ Stage 6 Reality: Your New Schedule
First, understand what you’re dealing with. Stage 6 isn’t just “more load shedding” – it’s a completely different beast:
| Time Slot | Duration | What Dies | Critical Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 00:00-02:30 |
2.5 hours | Security systems Geysers cooling |
Check batteries Lock everything |
| Slot 2 08:00-10:30 |
2.5 hours | Morning routine Work start |
Cold breakfast Charge devices |
| Slot 3 16:00-18:30 |
2.5 hours | Dinner prep Kids homework |
Cook early Daylight tasks |
| Total Dark | 7.5-10 hrs | Normal life | Survive |
🚨 The First 48 Hours: Crisis Mode
When Stage 6 hits, you have 48 hours before things get critical. Here’s your emergency checklist:
Hour 1-4: Immediate Actions
- Fill everything with water (bath, buckets, bottles – pumps will fail)
- Cook all raw meat (it won’t last in a dying fridge)
- Charge everything (phones, power banks, laptops, torches)
- ATM run (get cash now – systems will crash)
- Fuel up (petrol stations close without power)
Hour 4-24: Stabilization
- Freeze 2L bottles (turn fridge into cooler box)
- Buy non-perishables (3-day minimum supply)
- Test all backup systems (now, not during outage)
- Inform neighbors (create WhatsApp group)
- Secure property (criminals know the schedule too)
Hour 24-48: Long-term Setup
- Establish routines (shower times, cooking schedule)
- Set up backup power (even small solutions help)
- Create light stations (LED setups in each room)
- Plan water storage (pressure drops during Stage 6)
💡 Power Solutions That Actually Work
Forget the theory. Here’s what I actually use during Stage 6:
My Layered Power Setup
Layer 1: Essentials (R2,000)
- Gizzu 518Wh power station
- Powers: WiFi (8hrs) + lights (10hrs)
- Recharges: During power windows
- Critical for: Communication
- 6x Rechargeable LED bulbs
- R89 each at Makro
- 4-hour runtime each
- Auto-switch during outages
Layer 2: Comfort (R8,000)
- 2.4kW Inverter + 200Ah battery
- Powers: TV, fans, laptops
- Runtime: 6-8 hours
- Recharge time: 4 hours
- 12V camping fridge
- Keeps essentials cold
- Runs off car if needed
- R2,800 at 4×4 shops
The Stage 6 Power Schedule
My Daily Power Management
- 02:30-08:00: Charge main inverter battery
- 10:30-16:00: Charge all small devices, cook, do laundry
- 18:30-00:00: Top up critical systems
- Key rule: Never let batteries drop below 50%
🍳 Cooking Without Power (Or Gas)
My gas ran out on Day 4 of Stage 6. Here’s how I still ate hot meals:
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Wonder Bag (R450)
- Boil for 10 min on gas/during power
- Transfer to bag, cooks for 2-4 hours
- Perfect rice, stews, porridge
- Cadac Safari Chef (R899)
- Small gas canisters last 2 weeks
- Grill, pot, pan options
- Works on balconies
- Solar oven (DIY)
- Cardboard box + foil + black pot
- Slow cooks during day
- Free after initial build
Stage 6 Meal Planning
| Meal | Power Window | No Power Option | Prep Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Toast, eggs, coffee | Overnight oats, fruit | Prep night before |
| Lunch | Leftovers reheated | Sandwiches, salads | Cook extra at dinner |
| Dinner | Full cooked meal | Braai, gas cooking | Start at 15:00 |
| Snacks | Baking, popcorn | Nuts, biltong, fruit | Stock up weekly |
💧 Water Crisis Management
Nobody talks about this: Stage 6 kills water pressure. Pumps need power. Here’s how I manage:
Water Storage System
- 5x 25L containers: Drinking/cooking water (R45 each at Builders)
- Bath always full: Toilet flushing reserve
- 2L bottles frozen: Double as fridge cooling + emergency water
- Rain collection: Buckets under downpipes (free water)
- Pool cover: Reduces evaporation by 90%
Daily Water Budget (Family of 4)
- Drinking: 12L (3L per person)
- Cooking: 8L
- Hygiene: 40L (basin baths)
- Toilet: 30L (selective flushing)
- Total: 90L per day minimum
🔒 Security During Stage 6
Hard truth: Criminals have the load shedding schedule too. After my neighbor got hit during Slot 3, we developed this system:
The Security Countdown
30 Minutes Before Outage
- Test alarm system and panic buttons
- Check all battery backups
- Lock all gates/doors
- Bring pets inside
- Alert WhatsApp group
During Outage
- Keep one light visible (shows someone’s home)
- Dogs in strategic positions
- Check perimeter every hour
- Keep phones charged above 50%
- Know neighbor’s emergency signals
High-Risk Times
- 16:00-18:30: Coming home in darkness
- 00:00-02:30: Deep sleep hours
- Weekends: When response is slower
📱 Communication Lifelines
When everything else fails, communication saves lives. My setup:
Backup Communication
- Dual SIM phone
- Vodacom + MTN (one usually works)
- Keep both topped up
- WhatsApp groups
- Street security group
- Load shedding updates
- Resource sharing (who has gas?)
- Two-way radios
- R399 set from Game
- 5km range
- No network needed
🏥 Medical Considerations
If you need medical devices or medication requiring refrigeration, Stage 6 is life-threatening:
Medical Backup Essentials
- Insulin storage: Cooling bags with ice packs (replace every 4 hours)
- CPAP machines: Minimum 1000VA UPS (8-hour runtime)
- Nebulizers: Battery-powered units essential
- Oxygen concentrators: Generator or large inverter required
- Emergency plan: Nearest hospital with power backup
💰 The Real Cost of Stage 6
I tracked every expense during my worst Stage 6 month. Brace yourself:
| Category | Normal Month | Stage 6 Month | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food spoilage | R0 | R2,400 | +R2,400 |
| Takeaways | R800 | R3,200 | +R2,400 |
| Fuel (generator/car) | R2,000 | R4,800 | +R2,800 |
| Batteries/gas | R200 | R1,800 | +R1,600 |
| Data (no WiFi) | R500 | R2,300 | +R1,800 |
| Equipment damage | R0 | R3,500 | +R3,500 |
| Total Extra Cost | – | – | +R14,500 |
🧘 Mental Health During Stage 6
Nobody prepares you for the psychological toll. After week 2, I was ready to emigrate. Here’s what helped:
Coping Strategies
- Routine is sanity: Same schedule daily, power or not
- Daylight activities: Exercise, reading during outages
- Community connection: Shared braais, generator movie nights
- Humor helps: Load shedding bingo, meme sharing
- Plan escapes: Mall trips, restaurants with generators
- Accept the chaos: Control what you can, release the rest
📋 The Ultimate Stage 6 Shopping List
Week 1 Essentials (R3,000 budget)
- Power station or small UPS: R1,500-2,000
- LED rechargeable bulbs x6: R540
- Power banks x2: R400
- Gas canister + cooker: R350
- Water containers: R200
- Batteries (AA, AAA): R150
- Candles (emergency only): R50
Month 1 Upgrades (R10,000 budget)
- Inverter + battery system: R7,000
- 12V fridge/freezer: R2,800
- Solar panels (starter): R2,000
- Security upgrades: R1,000
📱 Apps That Save Lives
- EskomSePush Pro (R39.99)
- Multiple area tracking
- Push notifications
- Stage predictions
- GridWatch
- Real-time grid status
- Explains drops/spikes
- MySpar/Checkers Sixty60
- Order during power windows
- Delivered to your door
🎓 Hard Lessons From 72 Hours of Stage 6
- Your first plan will fail – Have backups for your backups
- Community beats equipment – Neighbors sharing resources works better than going solo
- Small wins matter – Hot coffee during an outage feels like victory
- Kids adapt faster – They’ll teach you resilience
- It’s expensive being poor – Those without backup pay more daily
- Crime spikes are real – But panic makes it worse
- Mental health matters – Take breaks, find humor
- This too shall pass – Even Stage 8 ended eventually
💭 The Bottom Line
Stage 6 load shedding isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a complete lifestyle change. But here’s what I learned after 72 hours in the dark: South Africans are tougher than Eskom’s worst.
With preparation, community support, and the right tools, you can not just survive Stage 6 – you can maintain some quality of life. Will it be easy? Hell no. Will you make it? Absolutely.
Start with the basics. Build from there. Help your neighbors. And remember – we’re all in this together.
Stay strong, stay prepared,
– A Stage 6 survivor
⚡ Need Emergency Help?
Get immediate Stage 6 survival support. Equipment advice, setup help, or just someone who understands what you’re going through.
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🔗 Stage 6 Resources
- Load shedding schedule: Check your area
- Emergency services: Numbers that work during outages
- Community groups: Find your local support network
- Equipment suppliers: Verified Stage 6 solutions