New Eskom CEO, De Ruyter, to take up the reins in January

Nampak chief executive Andre de Ruyter has been appointed as the new CEO of Eskom and will assume duties on January 15, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said yesterday.

He replaces Phakamani Hadebe, who stepped down in July citing health concerns. Chair Jabu Mabuza has stood in as acting CEO.

De Ruyter will lead the reorganisation of the power utility, including its separation into three entities responsible for generation, transmission and distribution.

He spent more than 20 years with petrochemicals group Sasol in a number of senior management roles that gave him significant global exposure in the energy and chemicals industries. His portfolio included overseeing work in the US, Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique, Germany and China.

“I would like to thank Mr De Ruyter for not only accepting this position at a difficult time for Eskom, but, given Eskom current financial situation, also agreeing to a lower compensation package than the position currently pays,” Gordhan said.

“I am grateful to the board of Nampak for agreeing to release Mr De Ruyter. To us this again is a show of partnership approach between all stakeholders to make any and every contribution towards a successful and sustainable turnaround of Eskom. Solving our current problems as a nation indeed does require a partnership approach and I am more than encouraged that we are all working as partners with everyone doing their part to help.”

Gordhan congratulated De

Ruyter and offered him his best wishes “as he takes the helm of this important national asset”.

“The government is working to bring back the engineering skills and experience of competent and ethical professionals, that have been lost to Eskom over the years due to state capture and other incidents of malfeasance,” Gordhan said.

“We remain committed to strengthening the board with the necessary skills set – this is being prioritised and further announcements will be made in this regard in due course.”