Yes, load shedding is currently suspended β Eskom hit 300 consecutive blackout-free days in March 2026, its best run in over a decade. But the same utility published a Medium-Term System Adequacy Outlook in October 2025 that warned load shedding is likely to return by 2029, driven by coal plant retirements outpacing new capacity. South Africa’s electricity situation is better than it’s been in years. It is not fixed. Any student or young renter who spent 2022 and 2023 sitting in the dark without a headlamp, a charged power bank, or a way to boil water knows exactly what it costs to be unprepared. This guide is about not being that person again β using Temu to build a practical load shedding kit without spending a fortune.
The State of Load Shedding in 2026 β and Why You Should Still Prepare
South Africa recorded only 26 hours of load shedding in the entire 2025/26 financial year to date β all of it crammed into four evenings in April and May 2025. Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan has added roughly 4,000MW of reliable capacity back to the grid since 2023, and the Energy Availability Factor β the industry measure of how much of the fleet is actually available to generate β has climbed from around 57% to consistently above 65%. That is a genuine, measurable improvement, not spin.
The uncomfortable part: Eskom’s own 2026β2030 outlook paper flags a high likelihood of rolling blackouts returning by 2029 when ageing coal stations β Camden, Grootvlei, Hendrina β are decommissioned. Unless gas-turbine replacements arrive on schedule (Eskom’s track record on timelines is not encouraging), the supply-demand balance tips negative again. The 2026 winter is the immediate test. Demand regularly peaks above 30,000MW in June and July, and the generation fleet has never been truly tested under current conditions during a cold snap.
The lesson from 2022 and 2023 β when South Africa spent 176 days in load shedding, often at Stage 4 and Stage 6 β is that the window between “system stable” and “Stage 4 tonight” is very short. Building a basic preparedness kit now, while shelves aren’t stripped and prices aren’t inflated by panic buying, is the rational move. And Temu, particularly its local warehouse range, makes that kit much cheaper to assemble than it would have been from Makro or Builders Warehouse three years ago.
π Note on Load Reduction
Even while national load shedding is suspended, load reduction β localised outages caused by overloaded distribution transformers, mainly from electricity theft and illegal connections β remains active in large parts of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KZN. Approximately 1.69 million Eskom customers across 971 feeders are still subject to scheduled local outages. If you live in one of these areas, your experience of “no load shedding” is different to everyone else’s. Everything in this guide applies to you right now.
How to Shop Temu for Load Shedding Gear Without Getting Stung
Before getting into the product list, a brief but important note on costs β because a R90 LED lantern from Temu can quietly become a R180 LED lantern if you’re not paying attention. SARS removed South Africa’s sub-R500 import concession in November 2024. All goods shipped from China now attract 20% import duty on the customs value (item price plus shipping plus a 10% SARS uplift), followed by 15% VAT on the combined total. Logistics handling fees from third-party clearing agents typically add another R75βR150 per parcel.
The way around this is Temu’s local warehouse, which launched in July 2025 and now stocks a meaningful range of home, outdoor, and lighting products dispatched from within South Africa. Items tagged “local warehouse” or showing a 1β2 day delivery estimate carry no import duties β just a R75 flat delivery fee on orders below R650 per seller (waived above that threshold). For this product category especially, the local warehouse is the first filter to apply before anything else.
One further note specific to load shedding products: avoid electrical appliances that require NRCS certification. The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications requires that any electrical device sold or used in South Africa meets local safety standards. Temu has faced criticism for listing imported electronics β including lamps, plug-in inverters and small appliances β without confirmed NRCS approval. Stick to battery-powered, USB-charged, or gas-based items for this kit and you sidestep the issue entirely.
The Load Shedding Kit: Best Temu Buys by Category
π‘ Lighting
Lighting is where Temu genuinely shines for load shedding prep. The catalogue of rechargeable LED lanterns, camping lights and headlamps is extensive, and β critically β this is a product category where the difference between a R50 Temu item and a R350 Makro equivalent is often just branding and a box, not meaningfully different light output or battery life. Passive, battery-powered lighting has a very low ceiling of complexity. Here is what to look for.
Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern
Collapsible, USB-C rechargeable lanterns offering 3β5 brightness modes and up to 80β120 hours on low. Look for IPX4 water-resistance and a battery indicator LED. Several models also double as a slow-charge power bank for a phone. Best value item in the entire category.
LED Headlamp (Rechargeable, USB)
Hands-free lighting for cooking, reading and moving around during outages. USB-rechargeable models with red-light mode (easier on night vision) are widely available on Temu. Look for an adjustable strap and a minimum of 200 lumens on high mode. Avoid cheap AAA-battery models β rechargeable is far more practical.
Flameless LED Candles (Set of 6)
Battery-operated flickering LED candles with a remote control timer. Useful for ambient light across a room and far safer than real candles in res rooms or flats where real flames are prohibited or just a fire risk. A six-pack on Temu is around R65βR100.
Mini COB Work Light / Clip-On Desk Lamp
Compact, rechargeable clip-on lights that attach to a desk, shelf or headboard for focused task lighting. Useful for studying or working during outages without draining your laptop battery on screen brightness. Look for a magnetic base or 360Β° flexible neck.
π Power Banks & Charging
Power banks are among the most popular Temu products in South Africa, and for good reason β a fully charged power bank going into a two-hour load shedding slot solves the phone and laptop problem cleanly. The caution here is capacity claims. Cheap Chinese power banks frequently inflate their mAh ratings β a “20,000mAh” unit may deliver closer to 12,000β14,000mAh of usable charge due to conversion losses and inflated cell ratings. Buy from sellers with 500+ reviews and check buyer photos for any evidence of label discrepancies.
| Product | Capacity | Good For | Temu Price (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slim 10,000mAh Power Bank | 10,000mAh | 2β3 phone charges | R90 β R150 |
| 20,000mAh Dual-Port Power Bank | 20,000mAh | 4β5 phone charges + tablet top-up | R130 β R210 |
| Mini UPS Router Backup (12,000mAh) | 12,000mAh | WiFi router kept online during outage | R180 β R290 |
| Magnetic MagSafe-Style Power Bank (5,000mAh) | 5,000mAh | 1β2 phone charges, wireless charging | R75 β R135 |
β Router UPS Note
Mini UPS power banks designed specifically for WiFi routers are among the most-reviewed load shedding items on Temu SA. However, these ship primarily from China and will attract import duties. At a listed price of R180βR290, the landed cost including duties and courier fees is likely R280βR420. At that price, local retailers like Takealot and Evetech become competitive β compare before buying.
π² Cooking Without Power
Anyone who survived Stage 6 in 2023 knows that the hardest part of extended load shedding isn’t the dark β it’s the cold food. An electric kettle, microwave and induction hob all go down together. This section covers Temu’s most useful low-cost solutions for cooking and boiling water off-grid.
USB Plasma Arc Lighter (Long Handle)
Rechargeable flameless electric lighter with a long neck β essential for lighting gas stove burners, candles and braais without relying on disposable lighters that run out at the worst moment. Windproof, plasma arc design works every time. One of the highest-value items on this entire list for the price.
Stainless Steel Stovetop Moka Pot / Percolator
A stovetop moka pot works on a gas camping stove during load shedding and brews strong espresso-style coffee in under five minutes. Far cheaper than a battery-powered coffee maker, and it never needs electricity. Temu stocks 3-cup and 6-cup aluminium and stainless steel versions.
Thermal Food Flask / Vacuum Insulated Container
A double-wall vacuum flask that keeps food hot for 6β8 hours. The trick: cook your meal before the load shedding slot starts, seal it in the flask, and you eat hot food during the blackout without needing any power at all. Obvious, but underestimated. Temu’s 500mlβ1L steel flasks are well-reviewed.
Camping Mess Kit (Pot, Pan, Utensils)
Lightweight, stackable aluminium or stainless camping cookware that works on a gas burner or open braai. A complete 4-piece set with fold-away handles on Temu is cheaper than a single pot at Checkers Hyper, and it stores flat in a cupboard when not needed.
β Gas Stoves: Don’t Buy Yours on Temu
Portable gas stoves are listed on Temu SA, but we strongly advise against buying a gas burner from Temu for South African use. Temu-listed gas stoves are designed for international butane or isobutane canisters and may not be compatible with the South African LP gas canister thread standard. More importantly, gas appliances require specific safety standards compliance for local use (SABS SANS 1539). The risk of a gas leak or mismatched canister fitting is not worth the saving. Buy your gas stove from a local hardware or outdoor store β Outdoor Warehouse, Checkers Hyper, or Makro β where you can verify compatibility with locally available canisters. Temu is fine for everything else on this list.
𧣠Warmth and Comfort
Stage 4 load shedding in a Johannesburg winter without heating is miserable. Electric blankets, oil heaters and underfloor heating all go dead together. This is where Temu’s non-electrical comfort range earns its place in a preparedness kit.
Fleece Wearable Blanket (Hoodie Style)
A fleece blanket with sleeves and a hood β not glamorous, but genuinely effective for a two-hour winter outage without a heater. Temu’s versions are thick, warm and well-reviewed. Particularly useful for students in Wits or UCT residences where portable heaters are often banned.
Hand Warmer (USB Rechargeable)
Pocket-sized, rechargeable hand warmers that also double as a small power bank. Usually 5,000β6,000mAh capacity with 2β3 heat levels. Charge it during load shedding-free hours, then use it to keep hands warm while studying or commuting in winter. Popular category on Temu SA year-round.
Thermal Sleeping Bag Liner
A mummy-style fleece or silk liner that slips inside a duvet cover and adds 3β5Β°C of warmth without any power. Also useful for camping and outdoor festivals. Temu’s fleece liners are affordable and have solid reviews for warmth retention. Folds flat into a carry pouch.
πΆ Staying Connected and Productive
For students and remote workers, the hidden cost of load shedding is not the dark β it’s the dead laptop halfway through an assignment or a work call, and the dead WiFi router that kills your data session. These Temu buys directly address those pain points.
Multi-Port USB Charging Hub (with Surge Protection)
A 4β6 port USB charging station that lets you top up multiple devices simultaneously when power is restored. Buying one means every device β phone, headphones, power bank, lamp β is charged and ready before the next outage. Look for a version with built-in surge protection to protect against the voltage spikes that occur when power returns.
Surge Protector Power Strip (4-Outlet)
Voltage spikes when Eskom power is restored are a real and documented cause of appliance failure in South Africa. A basic surge protector strip β confirmed to have a MOV (metal oxide varistor) inside β absorbs those spikes. Temu stocks 4-outlet strips from around R55. Confirm the SABS marking or only buy from the local warehouse.
USB-C to USB-C Fast Charge Cable (2m, Braided)
Braided nylon cables that support 60Wβ100W fast charging β far more durable than thin rubber cables that fray quickly. Temu’s braided USB-C cables at 1m and 2m lengths are consistently well-reviewed. Buy two or three and keep them staged across your most-used charging spots.
What Does a Complete Temu Load Shedding Kit Cost?
Here is a realistic local-warehouse build of a functional kit, using the low-end of each price range and bundling from shared sellers where possible to hit the R650 free-delivery threshold.
| Item | Est. Price (local warehouse) |
|---|---|
| Rechargeable LED lantern | R65 |
| USB rechargeable headlamp | R55 |
| 10,000mAh power bank | R95 |
| Plasma arc USB lighter (long handle) | R35 |
| Vacuum insulated food flask (500ml) | R75 |
| Fleece wearable blanket | R90 |
| USB charging hub with surge protection | R70 |
| Braided USB-C cables Γ 2 | R45 |
| Flameless LED candles (6-pack) | R70 |
| Total (before delivery) | R600 |
| Delivery (bundle above R650 β waived) | R0 β R75 |
*Tip: Add a R50 stovetop moka pot or an extra braided cable to push above the R650 threshold and eliminate the delivery fee entirely.
β Temu Load Shedding Kit: Quick Reference
π³ Temu Kitchenware South Africa: Best Buys Under R200
Looking for affordable kitchenware on Temu? Check out the best products under R200 that South African shoppers love β from practical tools to valueβpacked gadgets.
- β Top Kitchen Tools Under R200
- β Best Value For Money Picks
- β Tips For Smart Temu Shopping
- β Trending Affordable Items
The Bottom Line
Eskom has reached 300 consecutive days without load shedding β an achievement that would have seemed impossible in 2023. But the grid’s medium-term outlook is less certain, winter demand peaks are yet to be truly tested, and nearly 1.7 million customers remain on load reduction right now regardless. Building a basic preparedness kit is not pessimism; it’s practical. Temu’s local warehouse makes it cheaper than it’s ever been: a fully functional load shedding survival setup β rechargeable light, headlamp, power bank, USB lighter, insulated flask, warm blanket, and surge protection β can be assembled for around R600, with free delivery if you bundle above R650 per seller. Buy it now, while there’s no urgency and no panic markup. Store it somewhere useful. Hopefully you’ll never need it. But if Joburg goes dark again in July, you’ll be the one with hot coffee and a working phone.
