Eskom's newly appointed group executive for generation Bheki Nxumalo. Picture: Screengrab/YouTube
Eskom on Friday announced the appointment of Bheki Nxumalo as the power utility’s group executive for generation.
Thomas Conradie, a former power station manager at Lethabo Power Station in the Free State, had acted in the role for the past few months.
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This followed Rhulani Mathebula’s resignation in November as Eskom’s acting group executive for generation. Mathebula was appointed after the previous head of generation, Phillip Dukashe, stepped down from the position in May last year.
In a statement, the parastatal said Nxumalo would take over the role effective immediately and he will report directly to Eskom’s acting group chief executive Calib Cassim.
Nxumalo’s career in the energy sector spans over 20 years from junior to senior management and executive levels. He also had a brief stint as the group executive for generation and group capital.
“He is an all-round business leader comfortable in governance, people and technical aspects of the role,” Eskom said.
Cassim said Eskom had been searching for the group executive of generation for a while now, and it has been very difficult to find a suitable candidate that would hit the ground running and Nxumalo emerged as the right candidate for the job.
“The generation recovery plan is in full swing. We needed someone that would passionately drive the execution of the recovery plan while inspiring staff to reach beyond their reach.
“Recently, it occurred to us that our candidate was hidden in plain sight. That leader is Bheki Nxumalo,” said Cassim.
Prior to this appointment, Nxumalo was the chief executive officer of Eskom Enterprise and Eskom Rotek Industries. He has extensive operating, power station management and production experience.
Nxumalo was the power station manager at two of Eskom’s power stations and the general manager at Kusile Power Station near Witbank, Mpumalanga.
“We approached Bheki to consider the role. Naturally, he took his time to reflect on our request and discuss it with his family and advisors. We were excited to hear that he decided to take the challenge.
“He is clearly the best person for the job. Our priority is to give him all the support he needs to do what he loves,” said Cassim.
Nxumalo said he was honoured to be asked to lead Eskom’s generation operations, especially when the country is facing a crippling energy crisis.
“I literally grew up in Eskom. I strongly believe that Eskom has the technical and managerial capability to turn things around,” he said.
“The majority of Eskom employees are passionate about their work and company. I know that I can count on the support of my colleagues in Exco and the new Eskom board to make this a reality.”
Cassim thanked Conradie for acting in the role of group executive for generation.
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