Everything you need to know about loadshedding and how to stay on top of it

Understanding loadshedding may be much easier than accepting that it really has become a part of our daily lives.

The rotational blackouts have been a recurring feature since 2014, yet many people remain confused about how it works and how to find out if and when they will be affected.

According to Eskom, the demand for electricity often exceeds the available supply.

To manage this problem and prevent the entire system from collapse, Eskom implements ‘planned interruptions’ in stages depending on the amount of electricity needed to balance the power grid.

In laymen’s terms, the bigger the problem, the higher the stage and the more frequent the loadshedding.

Loadshedding is normally between two and four hours long with a thirty minute restoration time (i.e if your scheduel says 8am – 10.30am, you can expect your power to be restored between 10am and 10.30am. Longer and there is likely a problem at a local level).

Stage six was first carried out on December 9 last year creating wide-spread panic as people scrambled to figure out what that would mean.

Stage eight would result in no power for 12 hours at a time.

Instead of wondering whether your power has gone because of a fault or loadshedding, here is how to stay on top of the schedule:

1. There’s an app for that

Always on the ball is the mobile app EskomSePush which was created by Dan Wells and Herman Maritz.

KwaDukuza’s southern network (Tinley Manor to Zimbali) can be found as ‘Ballito’ and KwaDukuza’s northern network (Tinley Manor to Zinkwazi) is labeled ‘Zinkwazi Beach’.

EskomSePush also provides updates for Mandini and Tongaat and more than 50 000 other areas across the country.

Download the app directly to your phone by following this link: EskomSePush Android. or EskomSePush Apple.

Alternatively downloading Eskom’s MyEskomApp to stay informed: Anroid Users / Apple Users.

2. Eskom’s website

Liable to crash at the worst times yet accurate the Eskom website is easy to use: loadshedding.eskom.co.za

The KwaDukuza northern network and eThekwini schedules are not on the website.

3. Your local newspaper

Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook or Twitter for the latest loadshedding times and information.

The North Coast Courier‘s mobile app is also a great way of getting the latest updates: Apple iStore and on Google Play.

4. KwaDukuza municipality

The local municipality’s social media pages are usually updated with the relevant stage and times: Facebook and Twitter.

You could also print out this static guide:

5. eThekwini municipality 

eThekwini Municipality customers can find everything they need to know about the various stages of loadshedding and times by following the guide the municipality recently released below – the guide came into effect on December 9.

eThekwini customers can also stay up-to-date by following the municipality on its social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.

Download The North Coast Courier mobile app, now available free from the Apple iStore and on Google Play, for IOS and Android phones.