New Chairman Mpho Makwana faces difficult task turning Eskom around

South Africa's power utility Eskom has been mired in controversy and crisis, with the country facing its worst energy crisis in almost three decades. The new Chairman, Mpho Makwana, has stepped into the role facing numerous challenges and high expectations. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Makwana discussed his reasons for accepting the position and outlined his vision for Eskom's future. He emphasized the importance of restoring governance, commercial acumen, and addressing the financial and operational challenges facing the organization. Makwana expressed his gratitude to the outgoing board for their efforts in laying the groundwork for the new leadership. He highlighted the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including employees, management, and consumers, to rebuild Eskom's reputation and operations. The new board composition reflects a diverse mix of skills, with a focus on key areas such as audit and risk, finance and investment, environmental sustainability, governance, ethics, and safety. Makwana emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making and leadership in turning around the struggling utility. He acknowledged the criticisms leveled against the current CEO but stressed the importance of giving the existing management team an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. The focus moving forward will be on setting performance targets, managing the balance sheet, ensuring energy supply, and re-energizing the workforce. Makwana also discussed the need to improve labor relations and engage with employees at all levels of the organization to foster a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility. While the challenges ahead are significant, Makwana remains optimistic about Eskom's potential to reclaim its status as a leading power utility in the region.