Zethembe Khoza will continue in his position as chairperson of State-owned power utility Eskom until the 2018 annual general meeting, according to Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, who announced the State-owned power utility’s new board on Friday.

The new board – comprising Khoza, Dr Pat Naidoo, Giovanni Leonardi, Dr Pulane Molokwane, Simphiwe Dingaan, Dr Banothile Makhubela and Sathiaseelan Gounden, as well as new members Professor Malegapuru Makgoba and Professor Tshepo Mongalo, will serve a three-year term, subject to a yearly review.

According to Brown, an additional candidate, who has business strategy expertise and was approved by Cabinet, ultimately declined his nomination, citing the highly charged environment in which Eskom is operating.

This situation reflects the difficulty the Minister has faced in putting together a strong board that includes people of the necessary calibre and leadership gravitas.

“I will be instructing the board that the appointment of a new group chief executive is an absolute priority,” noted Brown.

In terms of a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) read together with the board appointment framework, Brown is required to test the eligibility of directors through consideration of best practice, which includes a proper balance of skills, demographics, generation mix and tenure.

The process of vetting board candidates, including the verification of qualifications, criminal and directorship checks, takes up to four weeks to complete.

Thereafter, the internal administrative process is initiated, leading to a shortlist.

Mindful of the fact that the shareholder representative is not an operational position, Brown expects the board to take control and lead the company in taking decisive action in addressing the challenges of leadership, governance and ethics.

“The board and management must take strides, within its control, to address the internal control deficiencies and the finalisation of Eskom’s own internal investigations.

“It will be further reinforced by filling the vacancies with appropriate expertise from the business sector,” noted Brown. 

“These arrangements provide continuity at a difficult time for Eskom and I urge the board to be strong in the face of adversity and [to] remain diligent,” she concluded.

ESKOM BOARD MEMBERS:
Mr Zethembe Khoza has a Diploma for Technician and a Senior Executive Program Certificate. He is currently a Director of Zete Kay Investments. Prior to that, he was Group Executive responsible for Contact Centre Operations and also Acting Group Executive for Procurement Services at Telkom SA Pty Ltd. His skills and expertise in leadership, financial management and public policy continue to add value to the board.

Dr Pat Naidoo obtained his doctorate in 2008 from the Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management, South Africa. From 1985 to June 2010 he was in the employ of Eskom having served in various positions from engineer-in-training to Senior General Manager. He is currently a Specialist Consultant and Resident Professional Engineer at Pat Naidoo Consulting Engineers cc RSA since September 2010. His skills and expertise in business strategy within the energy industry continue to add value to the board.

Mr Giovanni Leonardi has a Diploma in Electrical Engineering and a Senior Executive Program Certificate. He is the former CEO of Alpiq Holding Ltd (former Atel Ltd), leading Swiss electricity provider from 2004 to 2011. He also worked as the CEO at Atel Elettroimpianti Ticino SA- Energy Services (former Sarr SA/ Inelectra SA). His skills and expertise in international electricity industry continue to add value to the board.

Professor Malegapuru William Makgoba obtained a PhD in Human Immunogenetics from Oxford University in 1983, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (M.B & Ch.B.) from University of Natal in 1976. Prof Makgoba is an internationally recognised molecular immunology. He is the Health Ombud of South Africa and the Deputy Chair of the second National Planning Commission. He is internationally recognised for his contribution to advances in health. His skills and competencies make him a recognised leader in driving the transformation agenda of the country, dealing with complex matters relating to government policy, corporate governance and human resources.

Professor Tshepo Herbert Mongalo obtained a PhD in Commercial Law from University of Cape Town in 2015, LLM in Commercial Law from University of Cambridge in 2000, LLB from University of Natal in 1998 and B.Proc from University of Natal 1997. Prof Mongalo is currently Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the University of the Witwatersrand. He is a founder and the member of the Tong-Mongalo Corporate Services CC, which was contracted to assist the Presidential SOE Review Committee (PRC) in research and the preparation of the Integrated Report on the Regulatory Framework for the Governance and Ownership of the State Owned Entities. His skills in Legal, Corporate Governance and Ethics, Business Strategy, Corporate and Financial Law and Policy are expected to add value to the board.

Dr Pulane Elsie Molokwane obtained a Ph.D in Chemical Technology (Environmental), Environmental Engineering. Dr Molokwane is registered with the Scientific Profession Council of South Africa as a Professional Natural Scientist and is a board member of Inkomati Usuthu Catchment Management Area, Sedibeng Water Board and Crescentwood Home Owners Association. Dr Molokwane is a founder and Managing Director at POB Environment Solutions. Her expertise in Environment, Project Management, Research, Nuclear Fuel Management, Corporate Governance, Water and Waste Management is expected to add value to the board.

Mr Simphiwe Dingaan obtained a BCom degree from the University of Natal in 1997. Mr Dingaan’s career has complementary corporate and entrepreneurial leadership roles. After working for Rand Merchant Bank and Mondi, Mr Dingaan founded Veraison (Pty) Ltd, an investment holding company specialised in the medical industry. Over a period of three years he led a team that built one of the foremost medical facilities in KwaZulu-Natal from concept to completion. His current directorships, amongst others include Skweyiya Investments, Askhar and Dingaan, Dovetail Trading and Dirang Logistics. His skill in Corporate Financial Management, Auditing, Risk and Project Management are expected to add value to the board.

Dr Banothile Makhubela obtained a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2011, Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry by dissertation from UCT in 2008, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry from UCT in 2006 and Bachelor of Science (BSc) from University of Zululand in 2005. Dr Makhubela is currently advising/supervising scientific research projects at BSc Honours, Masters and Ph.D level within University of Johannesburg and UCT. She is nonexecutive director on the board of PetroSA. Her skills in research, chemistry in the energy industry is expected to add value to the board.

Mr Sathiaseelan Gounden obtained a B. Compt from UNISA, a Higher Diploma in Accounting (CTA) from the University of Durban-Westville, a Certificate in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination from the University of Pretoria, completed an executive leadership development qualification at Harvard Business School and is an Accredited Mediator. He has extensive auditing, accounting, forensics, consulting and tax experience and is an expert in financial reporting using IFRS / SA GAAP / GRAP. His knowledge in risk management, the Public Finance Managaement Act & Treasury regulations, financial reporting; the King Code on Corporate Governance, the Companies Act and broad-based black economic empowerment are expected to add value to the board.