The Black Business Council (BBC), in partnership with the Guma Group, honoured Eskom’s leadership at an exclusive appreciation event at The Saxon Pavilion. The gathering brought together senior representatives from business, government, industry, and the media, recognising the resilience, renewal, and transformation unfolding within South Africa’s most vital state-owned enterprise.BBC President Elias Monage opened the evening, welcoming attendees and reaffirming the critical role of collaborative leadership between government, industry, and black executives. He highlighted the significance of recognising the impactful work being delivered within state institutions, stating that when these sectors move collectively, “the results speak for themselves.” His remarks set the tone for an event centred on transformational leadership and national progress.Hosted by broadcaster Clement Manyatela, the programme featured Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, as the keynote speaker. Dr Ramokgopa commended Eskom’s leadership for restoring stability to the national energy system while contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s economic recovery and long-term development goals. He noted that the advances seen at Eskom reflect disciplined, accountable, and purpose-driven leadership.Three leaders were recognised for their pivotal roles in Eskom’s turnaround: Chairman Mteto Nyati, Group Chief Executive Officer Dan Marokane, and Group Executive for Generation Bheki Nxumalo. Under their leadership, Eskom has achieved significant milestones, including reducing load-shedding to just 26 hours between 1 April and 11 September 2025 and securing its first full-year profit in eight years, an estimated R16 billion for the financial year ending March 2025. These outcomes have been attributed to stronger governance, improved plant performance, reduced unplanned outages, increased accountability, and the reinforcement of a culture of excellence.Sharing personal reflections, Nyati emphasised the importance of strong governance and unity of purpose, describing the restoration of public trust in state-owned enterprises as both a responsibility and an honour. Marokane highlighted the disciplined operational changes driven by the Generation Recovery Plan, reminding attendees that reliable electricity remains central to economic growth. Nxumalo added that the improvements in plant reliability stemmed from teams believing in the possibility of change and feeling valued within the organisation.Guma Group Chairman, Robert Gumede, closed the evening with a tribute to Eskom’s leadership and workforce. He applauded the organisation’s rapid turnaround, crediting visionary leadership supported by thousands of committed employees who have “quietly led the country from darkness into light.” He affirmed that Nyati, Marokane, and Nxumalo are worthy recipients of recognition as Afro-Achievers of 2025.The event not only celebrated leadership excellence but also highlighted the profound impact of coordinated and principled stewardship in steering Eskom and South Africa toward a more stable and sustainable future.
BLACK BUSINESS COUNCIL AND GUMA RECOGNISE ESKOM LEADERS
