Former Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe has died at the age of 52. His family confirmed that he passed away on Monday after suffering a seizure. Phasiwe had been experiencing seizures for several years. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and people across South Africa's media and communications industries.
Phasiwe had a career spanning over two decades, starting in financial journalism before transitioning into corporate communications. He worked as a journalist at Business Day and Business Report before joining Eskom in 2008. During his time at Eskom, he worked in the media department and later became deputy spokesperson before being appointed national spokesperson in 2015.
As Eskom's national spokesperson, Phasiwe was at the forefront of communicating with the public during South Africa's electricity crisis. He was frequently called upon to explain power cuts and respond to journalists' questions about Eskom's operations and challenges. His role placed him at the centre of some of the utility's most difficult years, including rolling load-shedding and growing pressure over its finances and ageing power stations.
Phasiwe's time at Eskom was marked by intense scrutiny of the utility's leadership and governance. He had to communicate with the public during a period of allegations of state capture, departures and appointments of senior executives, and concerns about Eskom's financial position. In 2019, after more than a decade at Eskom, Phasiwe resigned from the utility, describing his role as being like working in a "war zone".
After leaving Eskom, Phasiwe continued his career in communications. In May 2024, he was appointed spokesperson for the Public Protector of South Africa, bringing his experience in journalism and communications to the institution. He later joined Air Traffic and Navigation Services, where he was head of corporate affairs and communications at the time of his death.
The African Media & Communication Forum has paid tribute to Phasiwe, describing his contribution to the African media and communications sector as invaluable. His career reflected the changing path of many journalists into strategic communications, while his years at Eskom made him a familiar voice to South Africans during one of the country's most prolonged electricity crises.
Phasiwe's legacy in South Africa's media and communications industry will be remembered for his dedication and service. His passing has left a void in the industry, with many colleagues and acquaintances paying tribute to his memory.
Key points
- Khulu Phasiwe died at 52 after a seizure.
- Phasiwe was Eskom's national spokesperson from 2015 to 2019.
- He continued his career in communications after leaving Eskom.
