Warm welcome for ‘Papa Action’ at headquarters

Brian Molefe yesterday promised that Eskom would not be closing down four power stations in Mpumalanga and that he wanted to “make progress” on the matter of the apartheid wage gap for the power utility’s employees.

In March, Eskom confirmed that it would expedite plans to close four power stations in Mpumalanga, including Arnot, Duvha and Komati power stations, in order to accommodate renewable independent power producers (IPPs).

“There has been a lot of comment about power stations closing down in Mpumalanga. We will not close down power stations in Mpumalanga,” Molefe said.

“As you will remember that last year during our engagement, there were quite a number of issues that were put on the table. Some of it has been the problem of the apartheid wage gap. I am sure that we are going to make progress in addressing that problem.”

Molefe said this addressing an impromptu meeting called by Eskom staff at Megawatt Park yesterday to welcome him back as the group’s chief executive.

According to videos and images posted by Eskom on its official social media pages, hundreds of jubilant Eskom staffers, some carrying posters saying “Welcome back Papa Action”, sang Molefe’s praises as they welcomed him back.

Molefe is nicknamed “Papa Action” by Eskom staff. He could be seen in the video dancing along to the songs. When Molefe resigned in November last year, tearful Eskom staff also called an impromptu meeting, demanding that he withdraw his resignation.

Molefe told staff that Eskom would continue to keep the lights on to power the economy and roll out the electrification programme. “We will also continue to ensure that we complete the new build programme, namely Medupi and Kusile. Ingula is fully operational,” Molefe said.

“We must go through this winter with minimal electricity incidences.”

The Democratic Alliance and the Congress of the People staged demonstration outside the Megawatt Park gates in protest against Molefe’s reinstatement. The DA said it would be filing for an urgent interdict at the High Court in Johannesburg in a bid to stop Molefe’s reappointment as Eskom chief executive. – ANA