Lots of noise, little substance, does not a racism case make

RACISM! Yep, you heard it. THAT’S why CEO Jacob Maroga left Eskom.

If I was ever in a catfight I know who I’d want on my side. The BMF: Best Mates Forever.

Or as they’re otherwise known, the Black Management Forum — the Nicole Ritchie to Jacob Maroga’s injured Paris Hilton. Before the sex video. (‘Wait there’s a sex video?!” No, that was a joke. Sorry — you’re stuck with ‘Joost does Marelize”).

So you see; Eskom board chairperson Bobby Godsell — that bitch — went and announced Maroga was leaving the electricity giant, but *ohmygod* that SOOOO wasn’t true. And now the BMF is demanding to see the resignation letter while Maroga maintains a petulant silence.

But this catfight is turning into a dog show as the BMF acts as Maroga’s vengeful pit bulls, snarling the R word at anybody who will listen. Meanwhile the ANC Youth League Chihuahuas have weighed in with high-pitched yaps and heel-snapping to make sure we’re really paying attention.

They’re convinced Maroga’s axing is a malicious attack on racial transformation on black executives. It’s a dog fight alright, but who’s barking and who’s really got bite? Let’s play.

Bark one:
Maroga is a victim of ”anti-transformation people with a racist agenda” at the electricity parastatal. (BMF deputy president Tembakazi Mnyaka).

Mnyaka and co seem to be conveniently ignoring the fact that the ‘racist” board of 12 under Godsell is only 38% white – if you want to get technical. And of those three ‘anti-transformation” white people, you have someone like Wendy Lucas-Bull, who is literally a case study for her pioneering work in transformation.

Bark two:
The manifestation of ‘the Baas/boy mentality exhibited by the Eskom board chairman and manifested in turf contests between him and the CEO, Mr. Jacob Maroga.” (BMF media statement).

They may have ignored the Mail & Guardian‘s report on Friday containing leaked board documents but that won’t make the facts go away. The board heard both Maroga and Godsell on their visions for Eskom’s future. When the board made it clear it preferred Godsell’s approach, Maroga offered to quit as shortly afterwards did Godsell. Both men were asked to leave the meeting and the board elected to accept Maroga’s offer and to keep Godsell said the source. If you compare the two men’s documents in the above link you’d see why. Not so much Baas/boy as purely merit-based.

Bark three:
State-owned enterprises have become a ‘slaughterhouse” for competent ‘Black African Professionals”. (BMF media statement).

You know what — they’re absolutely right. Under Maroga’s reign at Eskom four black managing directors (MDs) and one black general manager resigned. It is common insider knowledge that they resigned precisely because of Maroga’s poor management skills. And Maroga effectively demoted his nine MDs, many of whom were black, by creating another level of chief officers over them. Both these chief officers happen to be brilliant — but coloured. But you don’t see anyone blaming Maroga for impeding the growth of black professionals.

Bark four:
Maroga is being blamed for an electricity crisis that predates his tenure. (BMF media statement).

One could argue, at a stretch, that some media reports and public perception have turned Maroga into a sacrificial lamb for a large number of electricity sins. But again, the facts of Friday’s Mail & Guardian report make it clear that Maroga fell out with the board over his incompetence and ability to lead the beleaguered parastatal in a very challenging time. His leaked strategy document for the future — heavy on expensive consultant-speak and light on actual substance — is proof of that.

Bark five:
There is no resignation letter. (ANCYL President Julius Malema and the BMF).

This seems to be the trump card. The pressure is on for Godsell to produce evidence that Maroga has resigned, while various people have claimed to have heard from Maroga that there is no letter. Sources told the M&G that both Godsell and Maroga offered to resign and Maroga’s resignation was accepted, but the public has yet to see the proof. Is he reneging on a gentleman’s agreement? We’re not certain. Malema is playing it safe and saying he’ll accept government’s decision, as they work out their role as shareholder. The BMF says it will construe any letter as proof that Maroga was ‘pushed”. As a new week kicks off we’re bound to see more developments on this front

Conclusion?
Lots of noise and little substance does not a racism case make. If there isn’t a resignation letter let’s play that ball. Not the one that doesn’t exist.

You can read Verashni’s column on the M&G online every Monday, and follow her on twitter here.