Load Shedding Stage by Stage: The Brutally Honest SA Survival Guide
⚡ From Stage 1 to Stage 8 – Real solutions that actually work
Power Solutions | Updated January 2025 | 16 min read | Based on Real Load Shedding Data
🔴 Stage 4 Alert: As I write this, Eskom just announced Stage 4 load shedding until further notice. That’s 6 hours without power daily. If you’re reading this by candlelight on your phone’s last 5%, you’re not alone.
I’ve survived every stage from 1 to 8, tested dozens of backup solutions, and helped hundreds of South Africans keep their lights on. This guide isn’t theory – it’s what actually works when Eskom doesn’t.
📊 The Real Load Shedding Schedule Breakdown
Let’s cut through the confusion. Here’s exactly what each stage means for your daily life:
| Stage | Daily Outages | Frequency | What Dies | Survival Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 2 hours | 3x over 4 days | WiFi, dinner plans | 😊 Easy |
| Stage 2 | 2-4 hours | 6x over 4 days | Work productivity | 😐 Manageable |
| Stage 3 | 4 hours | 9x over 4 days | Fridge contents | 😰 Challenging |
| Stage 4 | 4-6 hours | 12x over 4 days | Sanity | 😤 Difficult |
| Stage 5 | 6-8 hours | 15x over 4 days | Business operations | 😱 Crisis |
| Stage 6 | 8-10 hours | 18x over 4 days | Will to live | 💀 Survival Mode |
| Stage 7-8 | 10-12 hours | Constant | Civilization | 🔥 Apocalypse |
🔋 Power Backup: What Actually Works (I’ve Tested Everything)
After spending over R200,000 testing backup solutions (yes, really), here’s the truth about what works and what’s a waste of money.
1. The Budget Survivor (Under R5,000)
✅ What Works
- Gizzu 518Wh Power Station (R4,999)
- Powers: WiFi router (8 hrs), 2 LED bulbs (10 hrs), laptop (3 charges)
- Survived: 186 load shedding cycles
- Reality: Covers Stage 1-3 comfortably
- Rechargeable LED bulbs (R89 each at Makro)
- Last 4-5 hours on full brightness
- Charge while power is on
- Buy 6 minimum (trust me)
❌ What Doesn’t
- Cheap “5000mAh” power banks from China Mall (actual capacity: 1500mAh)
- Car batteries with cheap inverters (fire hazard – I have photos)
- Generator under R3000 (breaks within 2 months)
2. The Middle-Class Warrior (R5,000 – R20,000)
This is where things get interesting. You can actually run essential appliances:
🏆 My Personal Setup (R18,500 total)
- Mecer 2.4kW Inverter (R6,800) + 2x 100Ah batteries (R2,400 each)
- Runtime during Stage 4:
- WiFi + 4 lights + laptop + TV: 5-6 hours
- WiFi + 4 lights only: 10-12 hours
- Everything + small fridge: 3-4 hours
- Installation: R3,500 (get a pro – I learned the hard way)
- DB board changeover switch: R3,500 (legally required)
3. The Serious Survivor (R20,000 – R50,000)
Now we’re talking real independence. I’ve installed these for clients who barely notice load shedding:
- 5kW Hybrid Inverter + 10kWh Lithium Battery
- Cost: R38,000 – R45,000 installed
- Powers: Entire small home except geyser/stove
- Lasts: 8-10 hours with normal usage
- Best brands: Sunsynk, Deye, Growatt (avoid unknown brands)
4. The “Eskom Who?” Setup (R50,000+)
For those ready to divorce Eskom completely:
- 8kW Inverter + 20kWh Battery + 12 Solar Panels
- Cost: R95,000 – R120,000 installed
- Reality: 90% grid independence
- Payback: 4-5 years at current electricity rates
- Warning: Needs north-facing roof space
💰 The Real Cost Calculator (Nobody Talks About This)
Here’s what load shedding actually costs you monthly:
| Hidden Cost | Stage 2 | Stage 4 | Stage 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spoiled food | R200 | R500 | R1,200 |
| Data (no WiFi) | R300 | R800 | R1,500 |
| Takeaways (can’t cook) | R400 | R1,200 | R2,500 |
| Fuel (traffic lights) | R150 | R400 | R800 |
| Productivity loss | R1,000 | R3,000 | R6,000 |
| Total Monthly | R2,050 | R5,900 | R12,000 |
That R20,000 inverter suddenly looks like an investment, doesn’t it?
🛠️ Stage-by-Stage Survival Strategies
Stage 1-2: The Casual Inconvenience
- Morning slot (6am-8:30am): Shower before 5:45am, make coffee in a flask
- Evening slot (6pm-8:30pm): Eat dinner by 5:30pm, charge everything
- Essentials: LED bulbs, power bank, gas stove
- Cost to manage: Under R2,000 once-off
Stage 3-4: The Daily Struggle
- Work impact: 2-3 slots will hit business hours
- Fridge strategy: Don’t open unless essential, add 2L frozen water bottles
- Internet: Get LTE backup (Rain unlimited R479/month)
- Minimum backup needed: 1.2kW inverter + battery
Stage 5-6: Survival Mode
🚨 Critical Actions
- Food: Cook in bulk during power, freeze portions
- Water: Fill containers (pumps stop working)
- Security: Criminals know alarm batteries die after 4 hours
- Fuel: Keep tank above half (petrol stations close)
- Cash: ATMs and card machines fail
Stage 7-8: The Apocalypse Protocol
We hit Stage 8 once. For 3 days. Here’s what I learned:
- Neighborhoods self-organize (WhatsApp groups become critical)
- Bartering starts (guy with generator trades power for food)
- Crime spikes after dark (organize patrols)
- Mental health matters (board games save sanity)
🔌 The Load Shedding Tech Stack
Apps That Actually Work
- EskomSePush (Free)
- Most accurate schedules
- Push notifications 60 min before
- Shows multiple areas
- GridWatch (R39.99)
- Shows actual vs planned outages
- Predicts stage changes
- Worth it for businesses
Hardware Hacks
- Timer plugs (R89 at Builders): Auto-charge devices when power returns
- 12V car fridge (R2,800): Runs off car battery during outages
- Camping gas cylinders: 9kg lasts 2 months for cooking
- Solar phone chargers: The R300 ones work, R100 ones don’t
🏠 Room-by-Room Survival Guide
Kitchen
- Gas hob: Non-negotiable (R3,500 for decent 4-plate)
- Wonder bag: Continue cooking without power (R450)
- Freezer strategy: Keep 70% full, use newspaper between items
- Manual tools: Can opener, coffee plunger, hand mixer
Living Areas
- Lighting: Warm white LEDs (cool white = depression)
- Entertainment: Download Netflix/Spotify when power’s on
- Cooling: Battery fans (Takealot R399) last 8 hours
- Heating: Gas heater with safety cutoff (R800)
Home Office
- UPS for fiber/router: Mini UPS (R899) keeps internet alive
- Laptop > Desktop: Built-in battery is your friend
- Mobile hotspot backup: When fiber ONT dies
- Power scheduling: Heavy tasks when power’s guaranteed
💡 The Psychology of Load Shedding
Nobody talks about this, but load shedding messes with your head. Here’s how to cope:
- Routine is sanity: Same backup routine every time
- Community helps: Share generators with neighbors
- Find the humor: Load shedding memes = free therapy
- Plan activities: Board games, reading, actual conversations
- Exercise during outages: Can’t stress-scroll without WiFi
🚨 Load Shedding Safety (Learned the Hard Way)
⚠️ Critical Safety Rules
- NEVER run generators indoors (3 families died from carbon monoxide in 2023)
- Surge protection is mandatory (Power returns violently – I’ve lost 2 TVs)
- Candles = house fires (LED only, especially with kids)
- Criminals monitor schedules (They know when alarms die)
- Electrical fires spike (Overloaded inverters/batteries)
📈 The Business Impact Reality
Running a business during Stage 6? Here’s the brutal truth:
- Productivity loss: 35-40% on average
- Generator diesel: R15,000-R30,000/month
- Equipment damage: Power surges kill electronics
- Staff morale: Tanks faster than your UPS battery
- Customer patience: “Load shedding” excuse is wearing thin
Business Continuity Essentials
- Cloud everything (local servers = paperweights)
- Stagger shifts around load shedding
- Mobile point-of-sale systems
- Generator sharing agreements with neighbors
- Work-from-home during worst stages
🛒 Where to Buy (And Not Get Scammed)
Trusted Suppliers
- Solar/Inverters: Solar Advice, AWPower, GeeWiz
- Batteries: Battery Centre, Deltec Power
- Portable power: Takealot, Incredible, Makro
- Avoid: Facebook Marketplace “bargains”, China Mall inverters
Red Flags
- “8-hour battery” that weighs 2kg (physically impossible)
- No-name inverters with fake CE marks
- Installers without electrical certificates
- Prices 50% below market (stolen or fake)
🔮 The Future: Is It Getting Better?
Short answer: No. Long answer: It’s complicated.
- New generation capacity: 2,500MW coming online… in 2027
- Private generation: Adding 1,000MW yearly
- Grid collapse risk: Higher during Stage 6+
- Political will: Changes with elections
- Your best bet: Invest in independence now
💭 The Bottom Line
Load shedding isn’t ending soon. I’ve watched too many people wait for “next year when it’s fixed” while spending thousands on spoiled food and data.
Start small if you must – even R2,000 gets you basic backup. But calculate your real monthly losses from load shedding. That R20,000 inverter pays for itself in 4-6 months during Stage 4+.
Most importantly: You’re not alone in this. We’re all fumbling in the dark together. Share solutions, help neighbors, and remember – this too shall pass (probably around 2030).
Stay lit (literally),
– A fellow load shedding survivor
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🔗 Essential Resources
- EskomSePush: Download for accurate schedules
- Load shedding stages: Official Eskom explanation
- Solar calculator: Size your system correctly
- Community support: Join your area’s WhatsApp group