Last year, I went to Pretoria to meet the energy minister Gwede Mantashe. It has become a tradition for Mantashe to invite me to his office, even though I have been begging for one-on-one interviews.
On that day, the minister, who has faced a barrage of criticism for handling the energy crisis, slipped in Eskom’s chief executive Andre de Ruyter “not a fixer” that Eskom needs to rescue from the crisis.
What Mantashe is saying is that De Ruyter may have the necessary skills to be a competent chief executive but the electric utility needs a super-chief executive. It takes people who are innovative, courageous and brave enough to pull the means out of the grave.
I came to Mantashe to talk about the ANC. He – the chairman of the party to be re-elected – is a story but I leave a better one, needless to say, it is the story of everyone in the week.
It’s amazing that now, months after the minister made that statement, he might be on to something.
At De Ruyter, we think we have created a savior. The person who will pull us out of the wreckage caused by the so-called nine wasted years where Eskom has become a cash cow for dirty politicians and friends in business.
De Ruyter will do the impossible, he will revive Eskom to its former glory and usher in a new era of competence, ethics and push back political influence.
But, my friends, it’s just another tale I tell you to lull you to sleep at night.
For me, De Ruyter didn’t sit down with reporters and tell his story. Tell the story he must. For me, it was a month before the exposé and what he said in the interview he is saying now.
De Ruyter has every right to provide insight into the state of Eskom, but why now? Why take this opportunity to muddy the waters. Why would they consider it possible to intimidate all efforts to bring investors to the country? Why make accusations and not have the nerve to back them up.
Of course, like most South Africans, De Ruyter is well aware of the effects of corruption in the country. If he has evidence of corruption or corruption, under the law, or at least morally responsible for the parastatal, De Ruyter should come forward to expose him.
It is not fair for him to make bold accusations and then decide that he will leave the country, while millions of South Africans are still suffering the effects of the reduced burden caused by sabotage and criminality.
If you have the courage to forward your statement to the media, I hope, sir, if you have the courage to forward it to the relevant authorities.
Another important point in this interview is the ease with which the former chief executive can taunt the ruling party. I have to say, I found it hilarious that now would claim that the reference of ANC leaders to each other as comrades was ridiculous.
People in that position know a lot about the ANC when they take up that position. Surely he will understand that being the chief executive of an electric utility means you have to deal with the enormous egos of ANC politicians.
It cannot be surprising that he will face a parastatal that has been compromised by politicians who want to continue their existing political meddling.
It is no wonder that this parastatal is riddled with corruption, that syndicates have sought, and perhaps succeeded, to capture Eskom. no sir I can not accept that came to this role as a sheep for the slaughter.
You know what to do, you know the political climate. It has been a decision to focus on the same policy, or perhaps there is more to argue than the recovery of the electricity utility. No, sir, you will never be a victim.
Yes, De Ruyter, one can sympathize with you in some respects. You have to contend with a very regional minister, a lame duck president who cannot take responsibility and an entity robbed of competent and skilled personnel.
One can go as far to argue that when you have the idea of corruption and criminality in state entities, this severity is more pronounced when taking office in MegaWatt park. Being given a job is never easy, but it won’t be easy.
However you paint a picture or try to clean up what’s left of your legacy, it’s not lost if you fail. Just like the ANC that is now being ridiculed, you have made a mockery of this institution.
Thank you for your service.