JOHANNESBURG — Eskom Chairperson Mteto Nyati has revealed that the embattled power utility’s greatest challenges are not due to failing infrastructure or outdated technology—but rather to internal human failings.
Speaking during Eskom’s State of the System and Winter Outlook briefing on Monday, Nyati said that a thorough review of the causes behind the resurgence of load-shedding pointed directly to people-related issues.
“What we realised was not that we have issues relating to equipment, but rather people-related problems,” said Nyati. “That’s a good thing because it means that Eskom can address these issues.”
Nyati pointed to weaknesses in leadership, lack of adherence to standard operating procedures, and a general accountability crisis within the organization as key concerns. As a result, Eskom is now shifting its focus toward building a high-performance culture and strengthening management systems.
Skills Gaps Across the Energy Chain
Eskom’s Head of Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, echoed Nyati’s sentiments, stating that skill shortages are a persistent issue—not only within Eskom, but also among its external partners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“While most of the focus has been on the lack of skills at Eskom, many of our partners have come out to us saying that they have skills-related problems,” Nxumalo said. “We need to look at everyone working within our fleet.”
This forms part of Eskom’s broader Generation Recovery Plan, which aims to stabilise the electricity grid and reduce unplanned outages.
Leadership and Purpose at the Core
Eskom CEO Dan Marokane concluded the briefing with a call for renewed leadership and purpose across all levels of the organisation.
“People are critical to our ability to deliver,” said Marokane. “It is about fostering the leadership culture necessary for us to succeed, creating a space of support but also one that is highly challenging.”
Cracking Down on Corruption
Alongside the focus on internal performance, Eskom is intensifying efforts to root out corruption within its ranks. The utility has been plagued for years by theft, sabotage, and procurement fraud—costing the company billions.
Recently, six people were arrested in connection with a fraudulent pump procurement deal at Kusile Power Station. A pump purchased in 2018 for R857,977 had already been bought in 2015 for just R18,835—an eye-watering 4,455% price increase.
These arrests are part of a broader effort in partnership with law enforcement through the Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints). Eskom has reported recovering R873,000 out of R1.09 million lost in similar corruption cases announced in March.
A Turning Point?
Despite years of turmoil and public frustration, Eskom leadership appears determined to tackle its people problems head-on. Whether that determination will translate into more stable electricity supply and restored public confidence remains to be seen.
But one thing is now clear: Eskom’s future success will depend not only on turbines and transformers—but on the people who manage them.
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