Eskom have warned that unless they can manage the current electricity situation, there is a risk of a total blackout in South Africa which could last for weeks.

Over the weekend, Eskom implemented stage 3 load-shedding, with the option to move to stage 4.

Stage 4 load-shedding is what the country experienced in 2008, with massive rolling blackouts. But even that is better than a total Eskom grid meltdown.

Even in 2008, there was not a complete blackout.

A complete blackout would leave vast areas of South Africa without electricity for weeks.

Re-starting the grid after a complete blackout is no easy task.