South Africa: New Eskom CEO

Department for Public Enterprises (DPE) director-general Tshediso Matona will leave his post to take on the role of Eskom chief executive on 1 October, joining the giant utility at a time when its future shape is being seriously called into question. Public enterprises minister Lynne Brown was forced to speak out publicly against privatising Eskom following speculation in early August, saying “it would be a grave mistake to privatise this critical player in the economy”. The opposition Democratic Alliance had earlier released a statement welcoming “the mooted partial privatisation of Eskom”, arguing that “it would be hugely beneficial to our economy”.