Eskom Announces Nine-Hour Power Outages for Soweto Areas

Eskom has announced two scheduled nine-hour maintenance outages that will affect thousands of Soweto residents over the coming weeks, as the utility conducts essential work on its distribution network.

The first outage will affect Meadowlands East Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, from 09:00 to 18:00.

The second outage will affect Jabulani on Thursday, 15 October 2026, also from 09:00 to 18:00.

WHY THE OUTAGES ARE NECESSARY

Eskom says the planned interruptions are required to perform essential maintenance on distribution lines and associated infrastructure in the affected areas.

“The maintenance is necessary to ensure the reliability and safety of the electricity supply network,” Eskom said in a statement. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience of our customers during this period”.

The utility has advised residents to treat all electrical appliances as live during the outage period, as power may be restored at any time without prior notice.

HOW TO PREPARE

Eskom has offered the following tips to help residents prepare for the extended outages:

• Charge devices – Ensure cellphones, laptops, and power banks are fully charged beforehand
• Prepare meals early – Cook or prepare food before 09:00
• Keep fridge doors closed – Minimise opening refrigerators and freezers to preserve cold air
• Have backup lighting – Keep torches, candles, and matches accessible
• Medication – If you rely on electrically powered medical equipment or refrigerated medication, make alternative arrangements
• Small businesses – Spaza shops and other businesses dependent on electricity should plan accordingly

IMPACT ON RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

The nine-hour outages will be felt acutely by residents and small businesses in the affected areas. Many spaza shops, salons, and other informal enterprises rely on electricity for their daily operations.

For Meadowlands East residents, the Wednesday outage falls on a weekday, affecting those who work from home or run businesses from their premises. The Jabulani outage on 15 October will similarly disrupt daily routines.

NO LOAD SHEDDING FOR NOW

The scheduled outages are unrelated to load shedding, which has remained suspended nationally for over a year. Eskom has maintained that the grid remains stable, with no load shedding expected in the immediate future.

However, the utility has cautioned that the power system remains vulnerable to unplanned outages and that load shedding could return if the situation changes.