Load Reduction in Gauteng: Full Area List and Timetable This Week
Gauteng residents face another week of planned power outages as Eskom pushes ahead with load reduction in high-density suburbs. The utility says the measure is necessary to protect substations and transformers strained by theft and illegal connections.
“Load reduction protects our equipment from permanent damage and allows more residents to receive supplies during off-peak hours,” Eskom said.
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Load Reduction: Areas Affected
The Load reduction runs from Monday, 22 September through Sunday, 28 September 2025, during peak demand:
- Morning: 05h00 – 09h00
- Evening: 17h00 – 22h00
The main affected areas include Naledi, Dobsonville, Mabopane, Winterveldt, Jabulani, Kagiso, Meadowlands, Cosmo City, Orlando East, Katlehong South, Sebokeng, Ga-Rankuwa, Orange Farm, and parts of Vereeniging.
Gauteng Load Reduction Schedule (22–28 September 2025)
| Date | 05h00 – 09h00 | 17h00 – 22h00 |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, 22 Sept | Block A – Ivory Park Ext 6–13, Rabie Ridge, Protea Glen, Kagiso Ext 12–14, Cosmo City, Diepsloot, Naturena | Block J – Dobsonville & Ext 1, Meadowlands Zones 2–7, Orlando East, Jabulani, Orange Farm Ext 1–8, Sharpville, Sebokeng Units 1–7, Katlehong South & Mandela, Zonkizizwe |
| Tue, 23 Sept | Block C – Dobsonville Ext 5–7, Naledi, Jabavu, Meadowlands Zones 3–11, Zola, Emndeni, Tshepisong, Tsakane & Tsakane Ext 15,18 | Block D – Refilwe, KwaThema, Duduza, Kagiso, Langaville, KwaDukuza, Diepkloof Zone 6 |
| Wed, 24 Sept | Block E – Mamelodi, Nellmapius, Atteridgeville, Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa | Block F – Clubs, Glenclova, Linbro Park, Thokoza, Spruit View, Tembisa Zones 1–9 Block J – Orange Farm Ext 2–7, Sharpville, Sebokeng Units 8–12, Katlehong South |
| Thu, 25 Sept | Block G – Nigel, Vosloorus, Duduza, Kwa-Thema, Tsakane Ext 15, Heidelberg, Ratanda, Wattville, Nigel Ext 2 | Block H – Sharpeville, Zamdela, Boipatong, Bophelong, Vaal Areas (Sebokeng, Evaton, Vanderbijlpark, Boipatong, Bophelong, Sharpeville, Zamdela), Sebokeng Zones 13–17 |
| Fri, 26 Sept | Block I – Ivory Park Ext 8–10, Ebony Park, Rabie Ridge, Midrand, Wynberg, Kelvin, Marlboro, Alex, Sandton, Morningside | Block E – Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Mabopane, Nellmapius, Mamelodi |
| Sat, 27 Sept | Block D – Refilwe, Kagiso, KwaThema, KwaDukuza, Langaville Ext 3 | Block C – Dobsonville Ext 5–7, Naledi, Jabavu, Meadowlands Zones 2–11, Zola, Emndeni, Tshepisong, Tsakane Ext 15,18 |
| Sun, 28 Sept | Block J – Orange Farm Ext 1–7, Sharpville, Sebokeng Units 1–7, Katlehong South, Mandela Section | Block G – Tsakane, Nigel, Vosloorus, Duduza, Heidelberg, Ratanda, Wattville |
Why It Matters
Load reduction disrupts more than lights—it threatens food security, hurts small businesses, and leaves communities vulnerable at night. Community leaders in Soweto and Ekurhuleni argue that Eskom should fix the root causes: illegal connections and failing infrastructure.
A Johannesburg energy analyst put it bluntly:
“If Eskom and municipalities combine enforcement with affordable electricity access, we’ll finally see a real solution. Cutting power only buys time.”
What Gautengers Can Do About Load Reduction
Residents can prepare for load reduction and push back by acting together:
- Stay informed: Track your block schedule weekly and plan around outages.
- Go solar-ready: Invest in small backup systems like solar lamps or rechargeable batteries.
- Report illegal connections: They overload transformers and drive the problem.
- Engage municipalities: Demand transparent investment in infrastructure upgrades.
Heritage Month reminds us that resilience runs deep in our communities. With strategy, solidarity, and accountability, Gautengers can turn today’s stopgap measures into tomorrow’s reliable energy system.
