Eskom has welcomed the announcement by Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, that the term of Eskom Board Chairperson Mteto Nyati has been extended by a further three years. This extension takes effect on 1 November 2026 and provides continuity in governance and strategic oversight as Eskom builds on the gains made during its recovery phase. The power utility said that under Nyati's leadership, the Board had overseen significant operational, financial and governance progress.
The extension supports the utility's focus on operational and financial sustainability, long-term competitiveness and sustainable value creation for South Africa. Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said the extension provides continuity and leadership certainty as the utility positions itself for long-term sustainability. He added that the Board has played a critical role in strengthening governance, improving operational and financial performance, advancing the restructuring of the business and creating the conditions required for a competitive marketplace.
During Nyati's tenure, Eskom strengthened governance and accountability, improved operational performance, reduced its reliance on diesel-powered generation and returned to profitability, reporting profits in two consecutive financial years. The Board has also overseen significant progress in separating Eskom's businesses, including advancing the unbundling strategy, establishing and operationalising the National Transmission Company South Africa, and launching Eskom Green, its utility-scale renewable energy business.
Marokane praised Nyati's leadership, saying he is well respected across Eskom and the industry, by the shareholder and key stakeholders, including organised labour, the investor base and the wider business community. Nyati said the request for him to continue as Eskom Chairperson was a responsibility he accepted with humility and a clear understanding of the country's expectations.
Nyati expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Electricity and Energy, the Cabinet and the President for the trust they have placed in him. He also commended Eskom's employees for their hard work, which has helped lift the organisation out of its worst crisis and brought it to a point where it now has excess capacity that can be used to drive economic growth.
Nyati outlined his vision for Eskom's future, saying it must be more than a supplier of power; it must be a platform for growth. He looked forward to continuing the work alongside his Board colleagues to help the country industrialise and support industrialisation across the Southern African Development Community region.
The extension of Nyati's term is seen as a positive development for Eskom and the energy sector in South Africa. With Nyati at the helm, Eskom is well-positioned to continue its recovery and play a critical role in driving economic growth and sustainable development in the country.
Key points
- Eskom Board Chairperson Mteto Nyati's term has been extended by three years, providing continuity and leadership certainty for the utility.
- The extension supports Eskom's focus on operational and financial sustainability, long-term competitiveness and sustainable value creation for South Africa.
- Under Nyati's leadership, Eskom has made significant progress in operational, financial and governance areas, positioning the organisation for long-term sustainability.
