If you live in parts of Gauteng, you might want to prepare for a day without electricity next week.
Eskom has announced planned maintenance work that will see some areas go without power for up to nine hours — not once, but twice in the same week.
First Outage Scheduled for Vosloorus
The first power cut will hit Vosloorus in Boksburg on Tuesday, 12 August, running from 8:00 in the morning until 16:00.
Eskom says the interruption is necessary so that essential maintenance can be carried out on the distribution network.
“Performing this work is critical to keeping our infrastructure in good condition,” the power utility explained, urging customers to plan ahead for the disruption.
Another Nine-Hour Cut in Katlehong
Just a few days later, residents in Zonkezizwe, Katlehong, will face their own nine-hour blackout.
This one is set for Friday, 15 August, from 8:30 to 16:00, and will affect customers in extensions 1 through 5.
Eskom says these planned cuts are part of its province-wide maintenance programme, aimed at ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of electricity supply in the long run.
Safety Comes First
While the lights are off, Eskom is reminding everyone to treat all electrical appliances as if they are live.
This is to avoid any potential accidents once power is restored.
The utility also thanked residents for their patience and cooperation, adding, “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this maintenance.”
Preparing for the Blackouts
With both outages set to last most of the working day, residents are advised to charge devices in advance, keep torches handy, and make sure food that needs refrigeration is managed carefully.
If you’ve got your own tips for surviving a planned power cut, Eskom and local news outlets are inviting you to share them.