BREAKING: Load shedding suspended for long weekend

Eskom said load shedding will be suspended this long WEEKEND..

BREAKING: LOAD SHEDDING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THIS WEEKEND

The power utility said due to the sustained improved performance of the generation availability as well as the anticipated lower demand over the weekend, stage 2 load shedding will be implemented at 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Saturday.

HONEST SOUTH AFRICAN: Thandi Shabangu refuses R2 million pension fund, pushes for UIF

“Thereafter, load shedding will be suspended over the long weekend and will resume at stage 1 load shedding from 05:00 Tuesday.”Eskom

To view the Load Shedding Schedule for your area, please click here.

ALSO READ: EXPLAINER: Here’s why Eskom is implementing lower stages of load shedding

HERE ARE YOUR UPDATED SCHEDULES:

FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MAJOR METROS, LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULES ARE AVAILABLE BELOW:

• City of Johannesburg
• City of Ekurhuleni 
• City of Tshwane 
• City of Cape Town (PDF)
• Nelson Mandela Bay
• eThekwini
• Manguang
• Buffalo City

 Here are six tips to mitigate against risks caused by load shedding:

• Make use of surge protection: Electric surges are one of the biggest causes of damage to equipment during a power outage. Installing a surge protection device can help minimise some damage in unforeseen situations. Have a surge protection device fitted to your electrical distribution board or at the power outlet to the electronic device.
• Ensure that your alarm system is working and the backup battery is fully functional to provide power to the system in the event of load shedding.
• Spare torch or headlamp: Keep a torch in your car if you arrive home at night during a power outage. Most smartphones have built-in torch or torch apps, which come in handy during unexpected power outages.
• Emergency contact information: Save emergency contact information on your phone, but also keep a paper copy safe and accessible. This should include contacts for emergency services such as the fire department, police, and/or medical services. Also include the contact information of friends and/or family along with insurance information. 
• Charge your cell phone, laptop, and tablet: Ensure your cellphone, laptop, and tablet devices are fully charged ahead of scheduled blackouts. Be sure to charge them again as soon as possible after the power returns. It’s also a good idea to have an emergency phone charger (like a power bank) close by. This comes in handy during extended power outages. 
• Gas for cooking and lighting: Get a small LP gas bottle and lamp. It gives good quality lighting for a large area and can also be used for cooking and boiling water. It’s a good idea to keep hot water in a thermal flask so that you can make hot drinks. Also, consider preparing meals beforehand if you know when there’s going to be a scheduled blackout.

ALSO READ: Here is why Stage 11 load shedding could be implemented this winter

ALSO READ: Eskom Head of Security suspended while investigation unfolds