Message for U.S. Citizens: Sustained Power Outages – South Africa
Event: The safety of U.S. citizens overseas remains the top priority of the U.S. Department of State. However, our ability to help can be limited during a crisis. It is important to know what the Department can and can’t do for you during a crisis and ensure that you practice good personal preparedness.
U.S. citizens in South Africa should be prepared for frequent power outages – also known locally as “loadshedding,” a term which refers to controlled rolling blackouts. Loadshedding is employed to reduce consumer stress on the country’s electrical grid at times when supply is unable to meet demand. These power outages are generally pre-planned, localized, and may last several hours at a time. Many areas experience multiple power outages per day. This can impact safety, water availability, cell phone service, fuel pumps (and therefore fuel availability at service stations), residential security features, traffic lights and street lighting, ATM availability, and the food supply.
While a nationwide blackout remains unlikely, the U.S. Government urges U.S. citizens in South Africa to practice good crisis preparation planning.
Personal Preparedness Tips:
• Have a communications plan if there is no or limited power (land line locations, external cell phone battery, additional charging cords, hard copy of important numbers, etc.).
• Ensure you have necessary medicine, personal hygiene supplies, and eyeglasses.
• Maintain 7 days’ worth of supplies of non-perishable food, 3 liters of drinking water per person per day, medicines and first aid supplies.
• Store flashlights, batteries, and basic tools in a safe location where all family members have easy access.
• ATM machines may not function, consider keeping sufficient cash in a safe location in your home or hotel.
• During a crisis, you or your family members can always contact the U.S. State Department at +1-888-407-4747 or by clicking here.
The latest information about traveling to South Africa can be on our South Africa International Travel Information page.
If internet and cell phone services are temporarily out of service on a large scale, the U.S. Embassy will attempt to provide information via commercial radio, so be sure to have a radio with sufficient batteries or the ability to charge without electricity.
Assistance:
• United States Embassy to the Republic of South Africa
877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012-431-4000 (outside South Africa: +27-12-431-4000)
U.S. Embassy – South Africa
Facebook: U.S. Embassy – South Africa
• United States Consulate General, Johannesburg
(Covering Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces)
1 Sandton Drive
Sandhurst, Johannesburg
ACSJohannesburg@state.gov
Tel: 011-290-3000 (outside South Africa: +27-11-290-3000)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1684 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-1684)
U.S. Consulate Johannesburg
• United States Consulate General, Durban
(Covering KwaZulu-Natal Province)
Delta Towers, 31st floor
303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street
ACSDurban@state.gov
Tel: 031-305-7600 (outside South Africa +27-31-305-7600)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1445 (outside South Africa +27-79-111-1445)
U.S. Consulate Durban
• United States Consulate General, Cape Town
(Covering Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces)
2 Reddam Avenue
Tokai, Cape Town
ACSCapeTown@state.gov
Tel: 021-702-7300 (outside South Africa: +27 21-702-7300)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-0391 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-0391)
U.S. Consulate Cape Town
Facebook: U.S. Consulate Cape Town
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