Anyone with a “political passport”, who can run without political interference, would be the ideal candidate for Eskom, experts say. With the top role set to be vacant in less than two months, energy specialist Lungile Mashele says the country’s electricity utility needs technically competent leaders – engineers, turnaround specialists. Eskom on Sunday published a quarter-page advertisement for a new group chief executive after current boss André de Ruyter announced his resignation. De Ruyter, 52, took up the position on Christmas Day in 2019 and became Eskom’s 11th CEO since 2007, …
Anyone with a “political passport”, who can run without political interference, would be the ideal candidate for Eskom, experts say.
With the top role set to be vacant in less than two months, energy specialist Lungile Mashele says the country’s electricity utility needs technically competent leaders – engineers, turnaround specialists.
Eskom on Sunday published a quarter-page advertisement for a new group chief executive after current boss André de Ruyter announced his resignation.
De Ruyter, 52, takes up the position on Christmas Day 2019 and becomes Eskom’s 11th CEO since 2007, when the first load shedding took place. He leaves at the end of next month.
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The ad states that one of the CEO’s primary responsibilities is to build a high-performing organization with a culture that maintains the highest standards of culture and governance.
It also includes the requirement of a person with a successful track record in managing the strategic turnaround of a commercial entity operating in a complex environment with over 20 000 employees and an annual turnover above R50 billion.
‘Political pressure’
According to Mashele, Eskom needs strong people to withstand political pressure and ensure what is best for Eskom.
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In state-owned companies, like Eskom, political interference makes the decision-making process difficult. You need to look for “people who understand the value of Eskom in the economy and want to see it grow. People who have a plan”, said Mashele.
“A leader with a track record of success, a proven track record and clean procurement spend.”
Eskom requirements
The minimum qualification required to apply for the position is a postgraduate degree in engineering, business administration or economics.
“A bachelor’s degree, with an MBA or other relevant post-graduate degree will be an advantage,” Eskom said.
The utility will also consider a suitable qualification at NQF level 8 with 480 credits. It is looking for 15- to 20-year-olds as senior managers at executive committee level, preferably in emerging markets. Personal characteristics should include leaders with unquestionable personal integrity.
De Ruyter’s time at Eskom was marked by death threats, sabotage, relentless accusations and investigations, the Covid pandemic and a lack of urgency from the government to heed calls for additional capacity.
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