Understanding Load Shedding in Tembisa: Causes, Effects, and Prevention
If you live in Tembisa, you’re no stranger to power cuts. Load shedding in Tembisa was once a nightmare, with power outages lasting up to 18 hours at a time. Households and businesses had to plan their routines around the load-shedding schedule Tembisa.
Although the electricity supplier Eskom announced that load shedding has been suspended for 342 days as of 21 March 2025, concerns about its return persist because the root causes of load shedding in Tembisa remain unresolved.
This article explores the causes, economic and social impacts, and practical solutions to load shedding in Tembisa, helping residents prepare and adapt more effectively.
Causes of Load Shedding in Tembisa
Like many areas across South Africa, Tembisa load shedding stems from a national energy shortfall. Eskom, the country’s power utility, can not produce enough electricity to meet the growing demand—especially in rapidly developing townships like Tembisa. There are other factors contributing to load shedding crisis in Tembisa:
Aging Infrastructure: Much of South Africa's electricity infrastructure, including substations in Tembisa, is aging and prone to failures such as transformer failures and cable faults. Just recently, in March 2025, Eskom reintroduced Stage 2 load shedding after the loss of five generation units.
Insufficient Generation Capacity: Eskom has struggled to build new power plants quickly enough to meet the growing demand for electricity. Delays in completing power stations like Medupi and Kusile have left the country short on supply.
Vandalism and Theft: Community protests over electricity tariffs and service delivery issues result in vandalism of substations and infrastructure sabotage, disrupting the local grid. Electricity-related criminal acts, including copper cable theft, also wreak havoc on the grid. Eskom reportedly spends nearly R2 billion annually replacing stolen cables alone, weakening delivery capacity even further.
Municipal Debt: Tembisa, under the Ekurhuleni Metro, is affected by unpaid municipal electricity bills. Eskom recently issued a notice over the city’s R2.3 billion debt, risking service disruptions.
Environmental Factors: South Africa's reliance on coal-fired power plants, which are subject to environmental pressures and maintenance challenges, adds to the complexity of the issue.
In some cases, Eskom implements load reduction to prevent infrastructure damage in high-risk zones, which is separate from the formal load shedding process. Both, however, result in power loss for households.
Economic Disadvantages of Load Shedding
Load shedding isn’t just inconvenient—it’s economically damaging. The City of Ekurhuleni faces significant economic losses due to load shedding, with an estimated cost of approximately R905,000 per day.
Business Disruptions: As the Nedban Insights Report found, more than 60% of businesses struggle to operate during power outages. Retail shops, restaurants, and other local businesses without power backup are hit the hardest.
Reduced Turnover: A Sakeliga report noted that 63% of businesses earn less than R500,000 monthly, with a median turnover of just R300,000—often worsened by prolonged power cuts.
Increased Operational Costs: Businesses often need to invest in backup generators or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to keep operating during Tembisa load shedding, adding to their overhead costs. For example, Pick n Pay spent R350 million in 10 months on diesel, and Shoprite’s bill exceeded R1 billion per year just to stay operational.
Job Losses: With power interruptions, many businesses have no choice but to cut staff. Load shedding in Gauteng, which includes Tembisa, resulted in approximately 302,893 lost job opportunities in 2022.
Damaged Equipment: Power surges during on-off cycles damage electronics, further burdening households and businesses with replacement costs.
Social and Household Impacts of Load Shedding
Beyond the economy, load shedding in Tembisa disrupts daily routines and community well-being.
Disruption of Daily Life:Tembisa load shedding disrupts essential services like water supply, electricity supply, network connections and more. Families are left in the dark, without water, or means to cook meals and charge their devices. Residents need to follow the load shedding schedule in Tembisa.
Income and Employment: According to an interview conducted by Mail Guardian, Tembisa load shedding also indirectly impacts the employment, as residents find it difficult to find jobs online without an internet connection.
Impact on Education: Many schools are increasingly reliant on technology for teaching, which presents a major problem during periods of Tembisa load shedding. The lack of electric power can lead to poor or no lighting on school premises, further widening the gap in the quality of education.
Impact on Healthcare: Healthcare facilities rely on electricity to power essential medical equipment, and power cuts can have serious consequences for patients needing constant medical attention. Studies show a 10% increase in hospital admissions for children on days with load shedding or up to two days after.
Mental Stress: Frequent power cuts have psychological effects too. The unpredictability of the Tembisa load shedding schedule adds stress and anxiety, especially for households with children, elderly individuals, or those dependent on medical equipment.
Safety Concerns: Dark streets during outages increase the risk of crime and accidents. Families must invest in candles, torches, or better yet, reliable load shedding solutions to maintain a sense of normalcy.
Infrastructure and Technological Setbacks
Tembisa’s infrastructure also bears the brunt of constant power cuts. Electrical surges from frequent load switching damage household appliances and strain the local power grid.
Technology access is also severely disrupted. Internet connectivity, essential for remote work and online learning, becomes unreliable during outages. As more Tembisa residents rely on digital platforms for work and education, Tembisa load shedding threatens to widen the digital divide.
Furthermore, outdated substations and local infrastructure mean recovery times after a blackout can be longer than expected, compounding the frustrations of the load shedding schedule Tembisa residents must endure.
Environmental Consequences of Load Shedding
While often overlooked, load shedding in Tembisa also impacts the environment. Increased use of diesel generators contributes to air pollution and carbon emissions.
In low-income households, prolonged outages may push residents to rely on wood or coal fires for cooking and heating, which accelerates deforestation and releases harmful pollutants.
Switching to clean alternatives, like a solar generator, not only helps households reduce dependency on Eskom but also promotes a greener, healthier community.
Prevention and Mitigation Strategies
Though load shedding in Tembisa is beyond any single household’s control, there are practical ways to reduce its impact:
1. Stay Informed
Keep track of the load shedding schedule Tembisa using apps like EskomSePush or Loadshedding Notifier. Joining local community groups or social media forums can also provide real-time information and advice from neighbors.
2. Use Portable Power Backup
Investing in backup power solutions can significantly reduce the impact of Tembisa load shedding. Keep your essential devices charged with power banks or portable power stations like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Portable Power Station. It holds more electricity to power lights, routers, laptops, and even small kitchen appliances like mini fridges.
3. Adopt Energy Efficiency Practices
Reducing overall electricity consumption can help lessen demand on the grid and minimize the risk of load shedding in Tembisa. Switch to LED lighting, unplug unused devices, and use energy-efficient appliances. Run energy-intensive appliances, like washing machines and dishwashers, during off-peak hours (early morning or late at night).
4. Preserve Food and Water
To minimize food spoilage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during outages to maintain internal temperatures. Stock up on bottled water for drinking and cooking, and freeze water in containers to keep food cool.
5. Choose Alternative Cooking Methods
Having alternative cooking methods can be a lifesaver during load shedding. Use gas stoves or portable gas cookers for cooking, as these do not rely on electricity. This will ensure you can prepare meals even when the power is out.
Conclusion
The reality of Tembisa load shedding is complex, but with the right strategies and tools, residents can take proactive steps to protect their homes and livelihoods. Investing in load shedding kits, such as solar generators and portable power stations, households and businesses, can smoothly navigate Tembia load shedding schedule and reach independence from unreliable grid power.
FAQs
What are the primary causes of load shedding in Tembisa?
The main causes include insufficient power generation, aging infrastructure, poor maintenance, and increasing electricity demand in urban centers like Tembisa.
How does load shedding affect education and healthcare services?
Frequent power outages disrupt online learning and classroom activities, while hospitals and clinics struggle to operate essential medical equipment without backup power.
Why is renewable energy adoption slow in addressing power shortages?
High upfront costs, limited financing options, and a lack of awareness have slowed the adoption of renewable energy, though this is gradually changing with more accessible technologies.
Can solar home systems reduce household dependency on the grid?
Yes. A reliable solar generator or solar panel system like those from EcoFlow can keep essential appliances running during outages, reducing reliance on the unstable power grid.
What role can communities play in mitigating Tembisa load shedding?
Communities can organize collective solar projects, advocate for infrastructure upgrades, and promote energy-saving habits to ease pressure on the grid.