Mpho Makwana Resigns as Eskom Chairperson: Minister Pravin Gordhan Confirms

Mpho Makwana Resigns as Eskom Chairperson

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has officially announced the resignation of Mpho Makwana from his roles as Eskom Chairperson and Non-Executive Director of the Eskom Board.

Makwana, who took on these roles in September 2022, is the latest high-profile departure from the embattled utility.

Leadership Transition: Mteto Nyati Takes the Helm

In a statement, Minister Gordhan revealed that Mteto Nyati will assume the position of Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Eskom at the end of October, coinciding with Makwana’s departure.

Nyati’s appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Eskom’s leadership.

Makwana’s Appreciation and Gratitude

Mpho Makwana, who boasts an impressive portfolio of qualifications and serves on various other boards, including his role as a non-executive chairman of ArcelorMittal South Africa, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity provided by the South African Government to serve a second term as the Chairperson of the Eskom Board.

He also extended his thanks to Minister Gordhan for the amicable manner in which they concluded his tenure.

Eskom’s Restructuring Progress on Track

Minister Gordhan emphasized that efforts to stabilize Eskom and implement its restructuring plan into three subsidiaries—generation, transmission, and distribution—are proceeding as planned.

In August of this year, Gordhan granted the Eskom board permission to move forward with the unbundling of the power utility.

Government’s Interventions to Address Eskom’s Challenges

To address Eskom’s current challenges, the government has introduced a series of interventions, encompassing debt management and operational improvements.

President Cyril Ramaphosa initially announced in his 2019 State of the Nation Address that Eskom would be restructured into three entities, each focusing on specific aspects of its operations.

Approval for Eskom’s Sale of Distribution Business

In a significant development, Minister Gordhan, in a letter dated 7 August 2023, approved the sale of Eskom’s Distribution Business to the newly formed Distribution Company, aligning with the roadmap for Eskom’s transformation in the electricity supply industry.

He further urged Eskom to expedite the legal separation of the Transmission, Distribution, and Generation companies and requested quarterly progress reports on this matter.

This article provides an overview of the recent changes in Eskom’s leadership, as well as the progress in its restructuring efforts, with a focus on Minister Gordhan’s approvals and directives.