Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

10 Apps to help you stay sane during load shedding

26/03/2023

10 Apps to help you stay sane during load sheddingApps to keep you busy can come in handy during long and boring hours without power supply in your household.

by Siso Naile

26-03-2023 09:53

in Entertainment

10 Apps to help you stay sane during load shedding. Photo: TCL/ Supplied

Apps to keep you busy can come in handy during long hours without power supply in your household. Load shedding has thrown many lives into disarray, and it's likely to remain with us for at least a couple of years.

--

APPS USING YOUR SMARTPHONE TO CONSIDER A fully charged smartphone with your favourite apps can help you to keep productive and stay entertained when the lights are out.

ALSO READ: Minister of Electricity: Eskom workers will resolve load shedding

TCL recommends some Android apps to help you make the most of your time during load shedding.

1. Amazon Kindle

One of the best ways to pass some time while you wait for the power to return is to snuggle up in bed with a good book. The Kindle app puts over 1.5 million books at your fingertips, plus a selection of comics and magazines.

2. Battery Guru

There are few things worse than running out of power on your smartphone with two hours of load shedding to go. Battery Guru gives you detailed information about your battery usage, helps you monitor its health, and offers tips on how to extend its lifespan.

3. Comixology

Comixology lets you explore over 200,000 digital comics, manga, and graphic novels from Marvel, DC, Viz, Kodansha, Dark Horse, Image, and more. Comixology titles span every genre, including superheroes, sci-fi, crime, horror, and slice-of-life.

--

ALSO READ: 5 Reasons to consider 5G Networks for your next smartphone

MORE SERVICES FOR YOU DURING LOAD SHEDDING

4. Coursera

If you want to use load shedding hours to better yourself, Coursera is the app for you. It helps you build job-relevant, in-demand skills by learning with experts from world-class companies and universities.

5. DStv

Don't have a battery and inverter setup to power your TV during load shedding? There's no reason to miss the big match just because the power is out. As a DStv customer, you can enjoy the shows, movies and sport you love with the DStv streaming app on your Android phone.

6. Duolingo

If you've always dreamed of learning Chinese or French, why not use the hours without power to do so? Duolingo is a fun, free app for learning 35 languages through quick, bite-sized lessons. Practice speaking, reading, listening, and writing to build your vocabulary and grammar skills.

7. ESP EskomSePush

This app monitors load shedding status and sends Push notifications when you're going to be impacted. It makes it easy to see your slot without having to read a complicated schedule and reminds you to get ready for load shedding with 55-minute and 15-minute warnings.

GOOGLE FEATURES WORTH EXPLORING

8. Google Podcasts

With Google Podcasts, you can play the latest episodes from your favourite shows, explore podcast recommendations just for you, and manage your listening activity.

--

ALSO READ: PANIC as Capitec bank App malfunctions AGAIN

9. Mr D

Tired of firing up the braai or eating leftovers every night when the power's out? Treat yourself to a fresh, hot meal from your favourite neighbourhood restaurant or takeaway chain. Mr D delivers hot food as well as groceries if you prefer not to brave dark streets and load-shedding traffic.

10. Tiny Flashlight

Tiny Flashlight LED is a simple, free, torch app with LED lights and several screen modes. It can come in handy when you're looking for something in the dark.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY SISO NAILE

How much of a rugby fanatic are you? FIVE simple answers could win you R1 000 in cash!
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/10-apps-help-sta...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

Africa Stories

10/06/2026

NFVF CALL FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS: PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT 2026/27

Production and Development Funding supports the creation of compelling, commercially viable, artistic and culturally relevant South African screen content. Deve...

09/06/2026

Call for Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme Bloemfontein, Free State

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body mandated to spearhead the equitable growth and development of the South African film and video...

19/05/2026

Press Release: South Africa to be celebrated as European Film Market's Country in Focus at the Berlinale 2027

Press Release 18 May 2026, Johannesburg South Africa has been selected as the...

24/04/2026

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 01 30 June 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

01/04/2026

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 08 - 31 May 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...

26/03/2026

IMPORTANT FEEDBACK: PESP 6

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...

24/03/2026

NFVF CALL FOR PROPOSALS: FEMALE FILMMAKER PROJECT FACILITATING COMPANY 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites eligible Tier 1 and 2 South African production companies to submit proposals to serve as the Facilitating ...

15/03/2026

19TH ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTAs) CELEBRATED THE BEST OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY

Johannesburg, 14 March 2026 - On 13 and 14 March 2026, the 19th Annual South Afr...

12/03/2026

19TH ANNUAL SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTAs19) ANNOUNCES THE HOSTS FOR CRAFT AND MAIN SHOW

Johannesburg, 11 March 2026 - The 19th Annual South African Film and Television ...

03/03/2026

Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme - Matatiele (Eastern Cape)

Click here for isiXhosa version. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers from Matatiele and surrounding areas to...

17/02/2026

The 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs19) Nominees Announced

Johannesburg, 17 February 2026 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), ...

09/02/2026

SAFTAs19 OPEN CALL FOR IN-MEMORIAM SEGMENT

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture and custodian of the SAFTAs, is calling on all South Afri...

09/02/2026

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR FILM & TV POSTGRADUATE STUDIES - 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

09/02/2026

NFVF CALL FOR SUBMISSION FOR TRAINING PROVIDER GRANT - 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the call for training provider submissions is open. This funding aims to award grants ...

06/02/2026

CALL FOR NOMINATION OF INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS FOR PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

04/02/2026

NFVF ANNECY 2026 SOUTH AFRICAN ANIMATION SHOWCASE CALL

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) invites final-year animation students to participate in an exclusive creative showcase at the Annecy International...

02/02/2026

CALL TO PARTICIPATE AT THE SERIES MANIA FORUM 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), is calling for applications from experienced Sou...

29/01/2026

Extension of Invitation to Submit Proposals for Micro-Budget Film Projects 2026 Deadline to 2 February 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distribut...

28/01/2026

Sediba Scriptwriting Training Programme - Oudtshoorn Municipality (Second Call)

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...

20/01/2026

19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) open the call for Discretionary Award Nominations

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

07/01/2026

Invitation to Submit Proposals for Micro-Budget Film Projects 2026

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distributor, is commissioning new micro-budget fiction feature films and invites eligible...

31/10/2025

Tribute: Remembering Segomotso Keorapetse (28 May 1968 22 October 2025)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 October 2025 It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Segomotso Keorapetse, an award- winning South African television d...

02/10/2025

THE CALL FOR THE SIXTH PRESIDENTIAL EMPLOYMENT STIMULUS PROGRAMME (PESP 6) FOCUSED ON THE AUDIO-VISUAL INDUSTRY IS OPEN

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce the opening...

30/09/2025

Press Release: South Africa Announces The Heart Is A Muscle as the Official Selection for the 98th Annual Academy Awards

Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 September 2025: The National Film and Video Found...

26/09/2025

Call for entries for the 19th Annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs19) has been extended

The National Film and Video Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Ar...

26/09/2025

Invitation for people with disabilities to submit proposals for short films under the theme: Fully Inclusive

https://www.nfvf.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/fully-Inclusive-nfvf-invitatio...

29/08/2025

Call for entries is now open for the 19th Annual South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs19)

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

27/08/2025

Call for the 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs19) Jury

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

25/08/2025

NFVF Announces New Date and Theme for SAFTAs19

Theme: One Story. One Industry. One Future. - Celebrating South Africa's Screen Legacy, Together Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (N...

15/07/2025

Invitation for South African filmmakers to submit films for the 98th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) International Feature Film category

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

28/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Marks Youth Month by Empowering Future Creatives Through Film & TV Bursaries

Johannesburg, 27 June 2025 - As the nation commemorates Youth Month 2025, the N...

13/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Opens Call for Public Film Screenings on GBV Awareness as South Africa Confronts Ongoing Femicide Crisis

Johannesburg, 12 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an a...

11/06/2025

Press Release:NFVF Reaffirms Commitment to Transparent Funding and Fair Access Amid Industry Commentary By Ms Weaam Williams

Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...

10/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Reaffirms Commitment to Transparent Funding and Fair Access Amid Industry Commentary By Ms Weaam Williams

Johannesburg, South Africa - 10 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundati...

06/06/2025

CALL FOR CO-DEVELOPMENT AND WORK-IN-PROGRESS PROJECTS OF FEATURE AND DOCUMENTARY ON THE AFRICAN DIASPORA SO PAULO (BRAZIL) SOUTH AFRICA

S o Paulo Film and Audiovisual Company (Spcine) and the National Film and Video ...

05/06/2025

Press Release: NFVF Celebrates Xoliswa Sithole's Selection for the 2025 Documentary Slate

Johannesburg, South Africa 4 June 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundatio...

29/05/2025

PRESS RELEASE: Remembering a South African Icon - Presley Chweneyagae (1984-2025)

Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens Johannesburg, South Africa 27 May...

29/05/2025

Statement on the NFVF CEO's resignation

Johannesburg, South Africa 28 May 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Vincent Blennies, has resigned from...

22/05/2025

Call for Public Screening Proposals in Raising Awareness on Gender-Based Violence through Film

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

13/05/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) call for Applications for the Marketing and Distribution Cycle 1 Funding is Open

The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that was create...

10/05/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation Members of the Appeal Review Committee Call is Open

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

09/05/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation Marketing and Distribution Advisory Panel Call.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...

09/04/2025

Call for NFVF funding applications to attend Film Festivals and Markets taking place from 1 June 2025 to 31 July 2025

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...