By the editorial staff
On March 1, 2024, the Board of Directors announced the appointment of Dan Marokane as the new CEO of Eskom. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the company, facing existential challenges and significant changes that require strong and visionary leadership.
With a BSc in Chem Eng, an MSc in Pet Eng, and an MBA, Dan Marokane has held various leadership positions over the past 20 years in the oil and gas, electricity, and agribusiness sectors. He joins Eskom after a stint at Tongaat Hulett, where he attempted to rescue the sugar company following an accounting scandal that eventually placed it under bankruptcy protection.
Repositioning and restructuring Eskom to enable growth and sustainability
Mteto Nyati, Chairman of the Board, expresses confidence in Marokane and highlights the commitment of the entire Eskom team to turning around the organization. “We expect Dan and his leadership team to accomplish at least two critical tasks. First, they must address the current business challenges. Loadshedding must become a thing of the past. Second, they need to reposition and restructure Eskom to enable growth and sustainability,” said Nyati.
During his first 100 days, he will focus on evaluating the operational recovery plan, reviewing Eskom’s unbundling projects, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders. These initial days will be crucial for acquiring the necessary knowledge and establishing media relations.
“Dan has the full support of the Eskom Board. Eskom employees are excited to welcome him back into the organisation. We invite all South Africans to rally behind him as he steers Eskom toward stability, reliability and sustainability,” concluded Nyati.
Eskom is South Africa’s primary electricity supplier, powering approximately 95% of the electricity used in the country and about 45% of the electricity used across the entire African continent. With an installed capacity of approximately 51,309 MW, it represents nearly 90% of South Africa’s installed electrical capacity.
Governance, profitability, and environmental sustainability: major challenges for Eskom
Eskom faces significant challenges, including electricity shortages, which have repercussions on the South African economy and citizens’ quality of life. The company also grapples with governance, profitability, and environmental sustainability issues. Dan Marokane’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the company as it seeks to overcome these challenges and ensure a stable and reliable energy supply for the future.
The company has been without a permanent CEO since February, when Andre de Ruyter, then CEO, left the company with immediate effect.
