IN THE HOT SEAT

New Eskom CEO Dan Marokane brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the power utility but can he put an end to loadshedding?

- JANICE BECKETT-MSIZA

IT HAS to be the toughest, most thankless job in South Africa. Whod want to be the person in charge of trying to keep the lights on and then explaining to the nation why yet another round of loadshedding is unavoidable?

Over the past decade, 10 Eskom CEOs have come and gone. And now, after an almost year-long search, the board has finally chosen Daniel Marokane to replace André de Ruyter, who left abruptly in February last year.

With the energy company having recorded its worst year yet with more than 280 days of loadshedding - compared to 65 days in 2022 - the new boss is going to have his work cut out for him.

But despite the mountain of challenges that await him, Marokane (50), who is currently the CEO of sugar giant Tongaat-Hullett, is looking forward to taking over the hotseat.

"It's an honour to be chosen to lead Eskom at this critical juncture in its history," he says.

Marokane is well aware of the power utility's problems as he worked at Eskom for years in a senior role and now he's returning to try to turn things around.

But is he the right person for the job?

IS HE LEADER ESKOM NEEDS?

Energy economist Lungile Mashele says Marokane's academic qualifications give him the ability to easily grasp complex technical issues and he's also an experienced manager with a track record of leading a big organisation in crisis.

But perhaps the biggest advantage he has is that he's worked at Eskom before.

"He has deep networks both within Eskom and the industry at large, Mashele says.

"He knows the organisation well, people trust him and more importantly, he'll execute the job at hand from day one and doesn't need an introduction to the organisation or its practices!"

She says as a manager he can be "a bit headstrong" at times, but predicts he'll be loyal to his employees and will prove to be an ethical and dedicated leader.