What on earth happens during stage 5?

As news of stage 5 and 6 of load shedding looms, fed-up South Africans who are barely coping with stage 4 were left wondering what on earth happens during stage 5?

The possibility of the nation entering stage 5 and 6 was presented earlier today by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan during a press briefing in which he outlined their plans to stave off a looming nationwide blackout.

Stage 2 calls for 2,000MW to be rotationally load-shed nationally at a given period. In stage 3, 3,000MW must be shed, and 4,000MW must be shed under stage 4.

This also means that various areas across South Africa are left without power for longer periods of time as the stages increase in severity.

As it stands, South Africans are left without power for up to four hours at a time, which can go up to eight hours if their respective substations and transmitters suffer technical difficulties once the lights come back on.

But what on earth happens during stage 5 load shedding? 

https://twitter.com/sthebee/status/1107989688017657856

Technically speaking, Stage 5 and Stage 6 load shedding imply shedding 5,000 MW and 6,000 MW respectively.

https://twitter.com/Burgerboxx/status/1107997797612179457

South African social media users took creative liberties in describing stage 5 load shedding to each other. Check out some of the best (and darkest) explanations.

Stage 5 loadshedding… @Eskom_SA be like: pic.twitter.com/tz6J1e5U2N

— Zweli Mbhele (@TheZweli) March 19, 2019

Stage 5 loadshedding is when you die.

— Kurtweety (@KurtLaduma) March 19, 2019

I think Stage 5 and Stage 6 means that not only will Eskom loadshed, they will also send people to come and blow out the candles in your house as well.

— Mary Sserwanga (@SoCalledMary) March 19, 2019

No One:

Eskom : implements stage 5 and Stage 6
Us: What the hell is stage 5 and Stage 6

Eskom: pic.twitter.com/2cy6njle80

— 🕊Ntukulu wa N’wa-Magezi (@Nwa_Hlayiseka) March 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/asandamagaqa/status/1107995393718173696

https://twitter.com/nomusss/status/1107985242869166081

https://twitter.com/Black_Love_All/status/1108001571709874183

https://twitter.com/SlooPhaho/status/1108002170446716934

https://twitter.com/Tshiamo_MAC/status/1108007712300941312

https://twitter.com/SBuddha_Kaze/status/1108006632599048193

READ NEXT: Now there are eight stages of Eskom misery

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