Power utility Eskom on Friday said it had appointed Bheki Nxumalo as group executive of Generation, effective immediately - a post that has seen many executives quit amid a power crisis.
Nxumalo will have a tough task to keep the lights on after Eskom plunged South Africa into Stage 6 load shedding this week and as the country faces a bleak winter with limited power capacity.
Eskom said Nxumalo would report directly to the acting group CEO Calib Cassim.
Cassim said: “We have been searching for the Group Executive Generation for a while now. It has been very difficult to find a suitable candidate that would hit the ground running. The Generation recovery plan is in full swing.
“We needed someone that would passionately drive the execution of recovery plan while inspiring staff to reach beyond their reach. Recently, it occurred to us that our candidate was hidden in plain sight. That leader is Bheki Nxumalo,” he said.
Nxumalo’s career in the energy sector spans more than 20 years, from junior to senior management and executive levels.
“He is an all-round business leader comfortable in governance, people and technical aspects of the role,” said Eskom.
Prior to the appointment, Nxumalo was the CEO of Eskom Enterprise and Eskom Rotek Industries. He has extensive operating, power station management and production experience. He was the power station manager at two of Eskom’s power stations and the general manager at Kusile power station. He also had a brief stint as a group executive for Generation and Group Capital.
“We approached Bheki to consider the role. Naturally, he took his time to reflect on our request and discuss it with his family and advisers. We were excited to hear that he decided to take the challenge. He is clearly the best person for the job. Our priority is to give him all the support he needs to do what he loves,” said Cassim
Nxumalo said: “I am truly honoured to be asked to lead Eskom Generation at this critical time. I literally grew up in Eskom. I strongly believe that Eskom has the technical and managerial capability to turn things around. The majority of Eskom employees are passionate about their work and company. I know that I can count on the support of my colleagues in Exco and the new Eskom board to make this a reality.”
Cassim thanked Thomas Conradie, who has acted in the role for the past few months, “for his selfless leadership and dedication to our business. I am cognisant of the sacrifices one has to make both personally and with family to lead a division like Generation. We are grateful that he accepted the responsibility to lead Generation while we were looking for a permanent placement.”
Conradie was appointed in November 2022 after Eskom’s interim group executive for generation, Rhulani Mathebula, quit his post with immediate effect.
At the time Mathebula was appointed in May 2022 and began duties in June after Phillip Dukashe resigned on May 2022.
BUSINESS REPORT