ESKOM is to become a fully fledged company in the first quarter of next year in terms of a draft Bill debated in Parliament recently. Stakeholders have long been aware that Eskom will be converted from a commission to a company, but enabling legislation has been delayed because of union opposition based on fear of ensuing privatisation. Public Enterprises deputy director-general Andile Nkohlu told the portfolio committee that the plan was to submit a proposal on the Bill in the first session of Parliament next year. The Bill deals only with transforming Eskom into a company, not privatising it. A big advantage of corporate status is that Eskom will be able to attract offshore investors. Legislation providing for the conversion was approved by Parliament two years ago. – Own Correspondent