Back to blackout: Your load-shedding survival tips

Updated Feb. 25, 2025, 7:10 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast / Skyye Ndlovu

Load shedding is back, and many of us seem to have forgotten how to survive this dark time. Here are some load-shedding survival tips you probably forgot about.

After almost a year of blissful, uninterrupted power, we dared to believe that load shedding was a thing of the past. Jokes on us!

Just when we got comfortable, Eskom came knocking like that ex who just won’t move on.

So, as we dust off our candles and dig through drawers for that one torch with half-dead batteries, let’s get back into our load-shedding survival routine.

Here’s your ultimate guide to making it through the dark days ahead:

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Tip #1: Know your fate (a.k.a. download EskomSePush)

Remember the EskomSePush app? The one we deleted because we thought we’d never need it again? Yeah, it’s time to re-download it.

Unless you enjoy the thrill of random blackouts ruining your life, this app is your best friend.

Check it religiously, because “I didn’t know loadshedding was happening” is not a valid excuse when your phone dies mid-Zoom call.

Tip #2: Charge everything like your life depends on it

Your phone? Charge it. Your laptop? Charge it. That dodgy rechargeable light you haven’t used in a year? Charge it. Power banks? Charge those too.

If it has a battery, plug it in because when the power goes, it’s every man for himself.

Bonus tip: if your load-shedding schedule is between 2 am and 4 am, you will probably wake up at 3 am to the dreaded low battery notification. So, charge everything.

Tip #3: Wake up to open the garage and gate

If you’ve got an electric gate or garage, set an alarm to open it before the morning load shedding hits. Unless you enjoy being trapped in your own home like a Sims character, this is crucial.

Also, if you live in an apartment block, do not use the elevator just before load shedding. Unless you fancy spending two hours reflecting on your life choices in an elevator, make sure you check the schedule before you press that button.

Tip #4: Cook like you’re on MasterChef

If you still rely on an electric stove, it’s time to meal prep like an influencer. Cook early, store your food, and pray the fridge stays cold enough.

If you have a gas stove, check your gas levels, because the worst time to realise you’re out of gas is during load shedding.

Pro tip: boil water before the power goes out and store it in a flask. No electricity means no kettle, and no kettle means no tea or coffee. (For some people, coffee and tea are like oxygen – they will literally die without it).

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Tip #5: Embrace the mosquito apocalypse

For some odd reason, mosquitos sense darkness like sharks sense blood. The second the power cuts, they come out in full force. If you thought you were alone in your house, think again.

Without your fan or aircon, you become a hot, sweaty, delicious meal for these tiny vampires.

So stock up on mosquito repellent, light citronella candles, or be prepared for an aggressive, slap battle with yourself.

Tip #6: Prepare for the night sweats

Speaking of fans and aircon – if you rely on them to sleep, prepare to suffer. There is no greater betrayal than waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat because your fan has abandoned you.

Without that cool air caressing your body, you’ll never get back to sleep. So maybe sleep with some ice packs (if you’re brave) or pray for a cold front.

Otherwise, accept that you’ll wake up at 2 am gasping for air, and questioning all your life choices.

Tip #7: Accept that your WiFi is gone

No power = no WiFi.

No WiFi = actual panic.

If you haven’t invested in an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for your router, your internet is going down.

This means you need to download your Netflix shows in advance (because buffering in 2025 is just embarrassing), prepare to go old school with offline games, and maybe consider reading a book (shocking, we know).

Tip #8: Stay calm and keep the humour alive

At the end of the day, load shedding is annoying, frustrating, and at times, downright infuriating. However if we’ve survived it before, we can survive it again.

Just stock up on essentials, stay prepared, and most importantly – laugh through the pain.

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Now go forth, fellow South Africans, and navigate the darkness like pros.

May your batteries be full, your torches be bright, and your EskomSePush notifications be wrong.