Power utility Eskom says it will implement stage 1 load shedding from 11:00 to 23:00 on Thursday due to a shortage of generating capacity.
Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said the rotational power cuts were being instituted due to plant breakdowns, resulting in an imbalance between electricity supply and demand.
This will be the first time since February 15 that South Africans are going without power due to scheduled load shedding.
Stage 1 load shedding allows for 1000 MW to be cut from the national grid to protect the country's power system from total collapse.