Stage 6 Load Shedding From 27 January 2026: Longer Power Cuts Begin as Priority Areas Face Extended Outages

South Africa is getting ready for a difficult power situation as Stage 6 load shedding starts on 27 January 2026. This means longer and more frequent blackouts will affect many regions across the country. The stricter schedule comes from continued strain on the national grid. This forces authorities to cut electricity supply for longer periods each day. Homes and businesses along with essential services are already changing their daily routines as the country enters one of its hardest energy periods this year. Knowing which areas lose power first and understanding how the schedule operates can help people plan ahead and minimize daily problems.

Stage 6 load shedding begins nationwide on 27 January

Starting 27 January 2026, the Stage 6 load shedding schedule will take effect across the country, with some communities facing power cuts of up to 10 hours a day. Eskom’s focus on grid stability means outages will follow stricter, less flexible rotations than at lower stages. Households should prepare for longer blackout periods, tighter rotation cycles, more daily outages, and shorter recovery gaps between cuts. Urban centres and high-demand areas are typically impacted first to rapidly ease pressure on the system, requiring families to adjust work schedules, meal planning, and device charging around published timetables.

Extended blackouts reach designated areas first

Under Stage 6, extended outages will affect listed municipalities earlier than others. These locations are identified based on electricity consumption trends and grid sensitivity. Residents are advised to closely follow official updates for priority-affected zones, early cutoff times, area-specific schedules, and local outage alerts. Small businesses may experience added strain from repeated shutdowns, making backup power planning and aligning operations with off-peak supply windows essential to reduce disruption.

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How Stage 6 load shedding affects everyday routines

Managing daily life during Stage 6 load shedding requires careful planning. Families must coordinate cooking, remote work, and schooling around outage times, while traffic systems and water pumping may also be impacted. Common challenges include longer overnight outages, restricted appliance use, connectivity interruptions, and higher fuel costs for generators. Although essential services are protected where possible, residents are encouraged to conserve electricity during supply periods to aid grid recovery.

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The wider implications of Stage 6

The return of Stage 6 load shedding reflects broader challenges within the energy system, including aging infrastructure and delays in adding capacity. This phase highlights the importance of realistic planning and community cooperation. With grid pressure, economic ripple effects, household adaptation, and long-term energy reforms in focus, experts note that well-informed residents are better equipped to cope. While disruptions are significant, staying updated and prepared can help reduce uncertainty until conditions improve.