Eskom’s woes put in spotlight in Midrand

To restructure Eskom with its crushing debt, coal delivery problems and historic corruption, or not, was but one of the issues raised at a debate yesterday in Midrand, north of Joburg.

Energy Minister Jeff Radebe also noted yesterday in Pretoria that his department was “mandated to ensure and secure sustainable provision of energy for socioeconomic development”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of a new Eskom board in January, coupled with the suspension and resignation of the old guard, have gone some way towards making the requisite changes to save a power utility which is in debt of over R300 billion.

Speaking at the debate organised by energy analyst Chris Yelland were Development Bank of Southern Africa vice-chairperson Frans Baleni, Eskom nonexecutive director Nelisiwe Magubane, and economist Dr Grove Steyn.

Baleni didn’t pull punches when it came to perceived corruption at the entity, but also argued for keeping Eskom in situ.

Magubane pitched the idea of keeping Eskom whole while increasing public participation and introducing better accountability and transparency. Eskom would also have to be recapitilised through strategic partners, she said.

– amandaw@citizen.co.za

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