How long does load shedding last?

Load shedding has become a recurring challenge for South Africans, significantly impacting daily life and economic activities. Understanding how long load shedding lasts, what to expect during these outages, and how to find relevant schedules can help individuals and businesses plan better and mitigate disruptions.

Understanding Load Shedding Stages

Eskom, South Africa’s primary electricity supplier, implements load shedding in stages to manage the national grid’s capacity. Each stage reflects a specific level of power that needs to be curtailed to maintain stability. Here’s a breakdown of the load shedding stages:

  • Stage 1: Up to 1000 MW of capacity is shed. Consumers can expect up to 3 outages over a four-day period, lasting 2 hours each, or 3 outages over an eight-day period lasting 4 hours each.
  • Stage 2: Up to 2000 MW is shed. Expect 6 outages over four days for 2 hours each, or 6 outages over eight days for 4 hours each.
  • Stage 3: Up to 3000 MW is shed, with 9 outages over four days for 2 hours, or 8 outages over eight days for 4 hours.
  • Stage 4: Up to 4000 MW is shed, resulting in 12 outages over four days for 2 hours, or 12 outages over eight days for 4 hours.
  • Stage 5: Up to 5000 MW, resulting in 12 outages over four days (9 for 2 hours, 3 for 4 hours).
  • Stage 6: Up to 6000 MW, with 12 outages over four days (6 for 2 hours, 6 for 4 hours).
  • Stage 7: Up to 7000 MW, with 12 outages over four days (3 for 2 hours, 9 for 4 hours).
  • Stage 8: Up to 8000 MW, leading to 12 outages over four days, each lasting 4 hours.

In most regions, load shedding is implemented in 2-hour blocks, while certain areas may experience 4-hour blocks to synchronize with local utility schedules.

How to Find Your Load Shedding Schedule

To stay informed and minimize inconvenience, consumers can access their specific load shedding schedules. Here’s how:

  1. For Eskom Customers:
    • Quick Search: Type your suburb or town in the search box on the Eskom website.
    • Drop-down Selection: Choose your province, metropolitan area, or suburb from the drop-down menus.
    • If your area isn’t listed, try adjacent suburbs as electrical networks often cross geographical boundaries.
  2. For Municipality or Metro Customers:
    • Click the relevant link on the Eskom site.
    • Navigate through the left menu to select your province, municipality, and relevant suburb for the schedule.
  3. If You Can’t Find Your Schedule:
    • Eskom: Log in to CS Online on the Eskom website or contact their call center at 08600ESKOM.
    • Download the MyEskom App for quick access to your schedule using your Eskom account or meter number.
  4. Third-Party Apps: Consider using third-party applications available on app stores that aggregate load shedding data. While they may not always have the latest information, they can be useful for planning.

Conclusion

While load shedding is an unavoidable reality for many South Africans, knowing how long these outages typically last and how to access relevant schedules can significantly alleviate the impact. With Eskom implementing a structured approach to managing electricity demand, consumers can better prepare for outages and minimize disruptions to their daily lives. Stay informed, plan ahead, and adapt to this challenging landscape to navigate load shedding effectively.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.