The Ultimate Load Shedding Survival Plan

Load Shedding and how to be ready.

Load shedding is Imminent and thus making it very frustrating. But if preparations are made in time, you might get less frustration than others. Here’s a more detailed guide to preparing for load shedding, covering essentials, convenience, and security:

1. Device Charging and Power Banks For Load shedding

Charge All Devices: Charge your phone, tablet, and laptop fully. This way, you can still communicate or work if needed.

Use Power Banks for load shedding: A power bank is essential for charging mobile devices. Consider a high-capacity power bank (10,000-20,000 mAh) for longer charging capacity.

Portable Charging Stations: For laptops and larger devices, portable charging stations with higher output (measured in watt-hours) can be a good investment.

2. Lighting Solutions 

Rechargeable Lights for load shedding: LED lanterns or bulbs with built-in batteries are convenient and provide bright, long-lasting light.

Battery-Powered Flashlights and Torches: Keep at least one in each room, especially in frequently used areas like the living room and kitchen.

Candles and Matches: Use candles as a backup but ensure they’re on a stable surface, away from flammable items. LED candles are a safer option.

3. Power Backup Systems load shedding

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): A UPS can keep small electronics like Wi-Fi routers running during load shedding. Larger UPS systems can power desktops or TVs for short periods.

Inverters and Generators: If your area experiences long load shedding periods, consider an inverter or generator to power essential appliances like fridges or fans.

4. Food and Water Storage 

Non-Perishable Foods: Stock up on foods that don’t need refrigeration, like canned foods, dried fruits, nuts, granola bars, and instant meals.

Water Storage: If your water supply relies on electric pumps, store enough water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes.

Cooler Bags: A well-insulated cooler bag can help keep perishables cold for a few hours if you need to open your fridge during load shedding.

5. Internet and Connectivity 

Router Power Backup: Some UPS units are specifically designed for Wi-Fi routers and can keep your internet running for hours.

Mobile Phone Calls, Data and Tethering Enhancement: During load shedding most cell phones Towers are switched or go dead temporarily due to power cut off. Check that you have Mobile phones signal boosters as a backup, this booster comes with an external antenna that by-passes the dead tower and aim at the next available live tower to pull signal into your property. Ensure you have ICASA vetted boosters

Check Mobile data balance: in case you need to use your phone as a hotspot during load shedding.

Download Entertainment Content Load shedding: Download movies, music, or podcasts for offline use so you’re not reliant on streaming.

6. Security and Safety Measures

Alarm System Backup: Many alarm systems come with backup batteries, but these can wear out over time. Regularly check and replace them as needed.

Battery-Powered Motion Sensors or Alarms: These provide security even when the power’s out.

Install Security Lighting: Motion sensor lights with solar panels or rechargeable batteries can illuminate dark areas around your home.

7. Schedule and Plan Ahead

Load Shedding Schedule: Track the load shedding schedule for your area to better plan activities around it.

Timers and Reminders: Set reminders for when load shedding is due to start, so you’re not caught off-guard.

With these preparations, load shedding will be more manageable, allowing you to stay productive and safe while waiting for the power to return. Let me know if you’d like recommendations for specific products or solutions!

In the end, load shedding is no longer a rare disruption — it is a predictable operating condition that households and businesses must engineer around. The difference between chaos and control comes down to preparation, smart equipment choices, and layered backup systems. When you plan ahead, you turn a forced outage into a manageable pause instead of a costly shutdown.

A resilient home or office setup today should combine three pillars: power backup, connectivity continuity, and safety readiness. Backup batteries, UPS units, inverters, and charging stations protect your essential devices. Offline lighting, food, and water planning protect daily comfort. Signal boosters, charged phones, and router backups protect your communication lifelines. Together, these systems create operational stability when the grid goes dark.

Connectivity deserves special emphasis. During outages, mobile networks often become congested or partially unavailable. Strengthening your mobile signal capacity and maintaining charged communication devices ensures you can still coordinate work, reach emergency services, process transactions, and stay in contact with family and clients. Communication reliability is no longer a luxury — it is infrastructure.

There is also a financial argument for preparation. Downtime costs money through lost productivity, missed opportunities, spoiled goods, interrupted sales, and security risks. Investing once in proper backup power, lighting, and signal support is far more cost-effective than absorbing repeated losses over months and years. Prepared environments recover faster and operate with greater confidence.

Most importantly, readiness reduces stress. When lights go out but your critical systems stay on, decision-making improves, families remain calm, and business operations continue with minimal interruption. That psychological advantage matters.

Treat load shedding readiness as a long-term strategy, not a last-minute reaction. Build your backup stack, test it regularly, and upgrade where needed. Power may be uncertain — but your preparedness does not have to be.