The new Eskom CEO, set to take the hot seat at the embattled power utility on April 1, will be the 14th person to occupy this position since 2000.

André de Ruyter announced his resignation in December and his last day in office will be March 31. He was appointed in December 2019 and officially started in January 2020.

On top of inheriting debt of R400b, De Ruyter’s successor will be responsible for turning the tide on the worst load-shedding ever experienced in South Africa and preventing a total collapse of the country’s power grid.

The closing date for applications is Monday, February 27. According to an external advertisement published last month, ‘he/she will be responsible for strategic leadership and financial sustainability of the organisation’.

Eskom is furthermore seeking a candidate with 15–20 years of senior management experience with a ‘demonstrable and sustainable track record of turning around commercially and operationally challenged organisations’.

The minimum qualification requirements are listed as a postgraduate degree in engineering, business administration, economics or a suitable qualification at NQF level 8, with 480 credits.

No one has yet publicly expressed a willingness to shoulder the responsibility of dragging Eskom out of the darkness, with spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha being quoted as saying ‘it is highly unlikely that the post will be filled before the end of March’.

Dr Titus Mathe, CEO of the South African National Energy Development Institute, told Caxton Local Media ‘this is probably the last chance to get the right person for the job’.

“I don’t think it is a good idea to persuade De Ruyter to stay beyond March 2023. By the same token, it would not be wise for the board chair, Mpho Makwana, to act as an interim CEO. The best option would be to request one of the current exco members to act for three months.”

According to Mathe, there are a few potential candidates to consider for what has been described as the ‘worst job in the world’, provided they undergo extensive screening, including state security clearance and criminal record. They include Jacob Maroga, Bheki Nxumalo, Brian Dames, Dan Marokane, Thava Govender, Khumo Morolo and Roman Crookes.

Mathe says the eventual appointee must be willing to sacrifice everything to serve the nation.

“If Eskom fails, South Africa’s economy will collapse. As it is, the chronic load-shedding being experienced almost daily since September 2022 is crippling the economy; many businesses are shutting down, jobs are being lost, essential services are negatively impacted and public safety has been compromised. Support from the government, business, organised labour, Eskom staff and contractors will be crucial.”

It said that ‘the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour’. The revolving door at Eskom headquarters has seen its fair share of leaders come and go in the past 23 years.

These are the Eskom CEOs between 2000 and 2023.

Thulani Gcabashe: 2000–2007

Qualifications: BA/Masters Urban and Regional Planning (Ball State University, USA)

Reason for leaving: Contract ended.

Jacob Maroga: 2007–November 2009

Qualifications: BSc Engineering (University of the Witwatersrand)

Reason for leaving: Resigned with claims that he was forced to do so by the Eskom board.

Mpho Makwana: November 2009–June 2010

Qualifications: BA Admin Hons (University of Pretoria); Post-graduate Diploma Retailing Management (Stirling University, Scotland), MBA (Stirling University, Scotland)

Reason for leaving: Acting term ended.

Brian Dames: July 2010–March 2014

Qualifications: BSc Hons (University of the Western Cape); MBA (Stanford University, USA); Graduate Diploma in Utility Management (Stanford University, USA).

Reason for leaving: Resigned for ‘personal reasons’.

Collin Matjila: April 2014–September 2014

Qualifications: BA Law (University of Lesotho); LLB (University of the Witwatersrand, MAP and SEP Diplomas (Harvard University, USA)

Reason for leaving: Acting term ended.

Tshediso Matona: October 2014–October 2015

Qualifications: BA Hons Economics and Political Science (University of Cape Town);  Masters Development Economics (University of East Anglia, UK).

Reason for leaving: Suspended following an investigation into the failure to prevent load-shedding.

Brian Molefe: April 2015–November 2016

Qualifications: BA Commerce (Unisa); Postgraduate Diploma Economics (University of London, UK); Masters Business Leadership (Unisa); Advanced Management Programme (Harvard Business School, USA).

Reason for leaving: Resigned (later claiming he retired) after being implicated in state capture.

Matshela Koko: December 2016–May 2017

Qualifications: BSc Chemical Engineering, Incident & Accident investigation (University of Cape Town)

Reason for leaving: Resigned after being suspended following links to state capture and allegations of gross negligence.

Johnny Dladla: June 2017–October 2017

Qualifications: Financial and accounting qualifications (Harvard Business School, Fort Hare University, Cranfield University)

Reason for leaving: Acting term ended, went on to pursue private business interests.

Sean Maritz: October 2017–January 2018

Qualifications: Diploma in Datametrix (Unisa) B Com (RAU, now UJ); Certified Group Architect; Certified SAP Specialist

Reason for leaving: Resigned after being suspended on charges of maladministration and links to state capture.

Phakamani Hadebe: January 2018–July 2019

Qualifications: Master in Economics (University of Durban-Westville); MA in Rural Development (University of Sussex, UK).

Reason for leaving: Resigned citing health concerns.

Jabu Mabuza: August 2019–January 2020

Qualifications: Did not finish studies at the university of the North

Reason for leaving: Acting term ended.

André de Ruyter: January 2020–March 2023

Qualifications: LLB (Unisa);  BCL and BA (University of Pretoria); MBA (Nyenrode Business University, Netherlands).

Reason for leaving: Resigned, saying he had ‘lost the support of the political economy’.