Logie Naidoo: Eskom rose from dark days, can the ANC do the same?

Logie Naidoo, a former deputy mayor and speaker of eThekwini Municipality under the ANC, recounts the decline and subsequent revival of Eskom. In 2001, Eskom was recognized as the best power company globally by the Financial Times, but by 2008, the utility had been severely damaged by corruption and mismanagement. The Financial Times named it the worst power company in the world.

Leadership failures, denial, and a lack of accountability led to the stripping of the utility for parts, with state funds being plundered. The Zondo Commission later revealed that Eskom had lost over R14 billion to state capture and that over R57 billion in public funds were tainted by the Gupta enterprise.

In 2023, South Africa experienced 329 days of load-shedding, causing significant economic and social harm. However, Pravin Gordhan's restructuring of Eskom, separating it into Generation, Transmission, and Distribution entities, and the appointment of Mteto Nyati as chair, marked the beginning of a renewal process. The ANC must learn from Eskom's experience, focusing on leaders with a high emotional quotient, integrity, and commitment to servant leadership.

Eskom's recovery is impressive, with load-shedding dropping to 13 days in 2024, down from 329 days in 2023. The Energy Availability Factor improved from 54.55% to 61%, and diesel savings reached R16.51 billion year-on-year. In 2025, Eskom returned to profitability after eight years, reporting a profit of R23.9 billion before tax.

The ANC must recognize that renewal is not merely a slogan but a discipline requiring leaders with the right qualities. The local government elections on November 4 are crucial for this renewal process, as quality candidates must be elected to fix local government and improve cities and towns.