Dan Marokane has been appointed as the new CEO of Eskom. Photo: X/@CueSibiya
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced the appointment of Daniel Marokane as the new chief executive of Eskom.
In a statement, Gordhan said Marokane would join the state power utility by 31 March 2024, adding: “The final date will be disclosed once he completes the handover process with Tongaat-Hulett, where he currently serves as the acting CEO.”
In a separate statement, Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati said Marokane was chosen based on his experience in managing complex strategic, operational and commercial turnarounds in the private and public sectors and that he had in-depth knowledge of the Eskom environment.
“He leads from the front,” Nyati said.
“He will hit the ground running. That is what Eskom and South Africa need right now. We are delighted to have him on board and are confident that he, the executive committee and the board will work well together in rebuilding an Eskom of tomorrow that is anchored on a high-performance culture.”
In remarks carried in the statement, Marokane said he looked forward to working with the Eskom leadership.
“It is an honour to be chosen to lead Eskom at this critical juncture in its history. I look forward to working with the leadership team, Eskom board, the shareholders and other key stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the generation recovery plan, the creation of transmission capacity, and other critical Eskom priorities and chart a path to a sustainable future for Eskom. If it is to be, it is up to us,” he said.
Marokane joins Eskom in one of its worst-performing years as it grapples with power generation problems created in part by its dilapidated infrastructure. The underperformance of the generation fleet has forced South Africa to endure a higher frequency of load-shedding.
The Eskom chief executive position has been vacant since February after the abrupt departure of André de Ruyter.
In May, the Eskom board recommended Marokane to Gordhan, who initially rejected the nomination, citing the board’s failure to submit a shortlist of three candidates. After a new set of names was submitted in September, and amid tensions with Gordhan, former board chair Mpho Makwana resigned.
On Friday Gordhan said Marokane, who holds a BSc in chemical engineering, a master’s degree in petroleum engineering, and an MBA, had experience in running distressed organisations.
“His recent role at Tongaat-Hulett involved leading the financially distressed business after the resignation of the group chief executive,” the public enterprises minister said.