1. What’s Happening Right Now?
This Article Includes
- 1 1. What’s Happening Right Now?
- 2 2. How to Check Your Exact Schedule If the Stage Changes
- 3 3. Debunking Today’s Viral Rumours
- 4 4. Reading a Load-Shedding Table in 30 Seconds
- 5 5. Why the Grid Is Stable—For Now
- 6 6. Quick Survival Kit for Sudden Stage 2+
- 7 7. Frequently Asked Questions
- 8 8. Key Takeaways
At 15:10 SAST on Thursday, 3 July 2025, Eskom’s official status page states: “We are currently NOT LOAD SHEDDING.” loadshedding.eskom.co.za
In plain terms, no rotational power cuts are scheduled anywhere in South Africa today. The grid, however, is still “tight,” so Eskom could introduce Stage 1–2 at short notice if large generation units trip unexpectedly.
Why This Matters
- Winter peaks push demand above 33 000 MW.
- A single 800 MW unit failure can flip the system from surplus to shortage in minutes.
- Knowing where to find real-time information keeps you ahead of sudden changes.
2. How to Check Your Exact Schedule If the Stage Changes
Even when the national banner says “No load-shedding,” you might lose power later if:
- Eskom declares a stage after you checked.
- Your municipality runs its own maintenance outage.
Use these trusted tools to confirm your suburb’s timetable within two minutes.
| Tool | Best For | Quick Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Eskom Advanced Search | Direct Eskom customers | 1. Visit loadshedding.eskom.co.za → Advanced Search.2. Pick Province → Town → Suburb/Block. 3. View a seven-day table for Stages 1–8. loadshedding.eskom.co.za |
| Municipal PDF Portal | People who pay bills to a municipality | Download your town’s schedule from Eskom’s municipal list, then match today’s date with the declared stage. loadshedding.eskom.co.za |
| OurPower.co.za Live Table | Quick risk snapshot & area search | Type suburb name; site auto-updates when Eskom stages change. Current risk level: “Minimal”. ourpower.co.za |
| EskomSePush / Load-Shedding Notifier App | Push alerts & countdowns | Install (Android/iOS), allow location or pick suburb; you’ll get instant pop-ups when Eskom moves stages. |
Tip: Enable notifications at 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00—Eskom often revises stages around these times.
3. Debunking Today’s Viral Rumours
You may have seen social-media posts warning of Stage 4, 6, or even Stage 10 blackouts starting this week. Eskom has publicly called these claims “false and alarmist.” iol.co.za
What Eskom’s Winter Outlook Really Says
- As long as unplanned outages stay below 13 000 MW, no load-shedding is needed.
- If breakdowns hit 15 000 MW, the utility expects ≤21 days of Stage 2 for the entire May–August window. iol.co.za
In short: Stage 6 talk is pure clickbait—trust only Eskom’s website, verified apps, or reputable news outlets.
4. Reading a Load-Shedding Table in 30 Seconds
- Find the current stage (e.g., Stage 2).
- Locate today’s column (Thu 3).
- Match your block number to the time slots listed under that stage.
- If your block appears in a slot, power will be off during that window.
Example: Stage 2, Block 4, slot shows 18:00 – 20:30 ⇒ Expect a cut in that period.
5. Why the Grid Is Stable—For Now
Eskom attributes the rare stretch of zero load-shedding (since 15 May 2025) to:
- Intensive maintenance over summer 2024/25.
- Lower-than-expected winter demand thanks to warmer evenings.
- An 800 MW Kusile unit returning early, raising available capacity.
- Diesel savings of R16.54 billion by running OCGTs only during peaks. eskom.co.za
Still, unplanned outages hover near 14 000 MW—only 1 000 MW below the danger mark. One multi-unit failure could flip the script, so vigilance is key.
6. Quick Survival Kit for Sudden Stage 2+
| Item | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| LED lamp / rechargeable bulb | Lights without draining phone battery. |
| 10 000 mAh power bank | Keeps phone & router alive for 6–8 hrs. |
| Gas stove / kettle | Warm meals & drinks during dinnertime cuts. |
| Car inverter (150 W) | Runs Wi-Fi router or laptop in an emergency. |
| Printed schedule | No need to open apps when data is down. |
Keep devices charged whenever the power is on and turn off big appliances during peak hours (05:00–09:00 & 17:00–22:00) to ease grid pressure.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If Eskom says “Not Load-Shedding,” why did my lights go out?
A: You might be in a municipal maintenance outage or your local transformer was overloaded, triggering load reduction—different from national load-shedding. Check your municipality’s website or contact centre.
Q: Is Stage 10 real?
A: Legally yes—regulations define up to Stage 16—but Eskom has never gone beyond Stage 6. Official Winter Outlook caps any cuts at Stage 2. iol.co.za
Q: How much warning will Eskom give before re-introducing load-shedding?
A: Typically 1–2 hours, but sudden plant trips can reduce notice to 30 minutes, especially in winter.
8. Key Takeaways
- No load-shedding is scheduled for 3 July 2025. loadshedding.eskom.co.za
- Eskom insists rumours of Stage 4–6 are false; grid stable but tight. iol.co.za
- Use official tools—Eskom portal, municipal PDFs, or trusted apps—to verify your suburb’s table the moment stages shift.
- Keep a small “blackout kit” ready; winter demand peaks can force rapid changes.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and share only verified updates—your forward-planning keeps the lights on when seconds count.