{
  "id": 3947174,
  "title": "Eskom needs protection against competition, says Ramokgopa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/eskom-needs-protection-against-competition-says-ramokgopa-3947174",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T11:01:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/business/eskom-needs-protection-against-competition-says-ramokgopa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Eskom's Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is pushing for significant changes to level the playing field against private energy companies in South Africa's competitive market. He aims to \"liberate\" Eskom from the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and impose the same social obligations on private entities, even those in bilateral contracts. However, experts question the feasibility of these proposals and argue that Eskom already holds a dominant 70% market share in generation, giving it an advantage.\n\nEmeritus professor Anton Eberhard from the University of Cape Town's Power Futures Lab claims that Ramokgopa is overlooking the need for deep structural reforms in the power sector, questioning the minister's understanding of Eskom's future role. Eberhard suggests that Eskom's current position is advantageous, not disadvantaged, and that the private sector is at a disadvantage in the competitive market.\n\nAttard Montalto acknowledges that there are necessary procurement reforms for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) but points out that these entities will not relinquish their oversight to the National Treasury. Chartered accountant Khaya Sithole draws a parallel to Vuyani Jarana's resignation as CEO of South African Airways in 2019, arguing that the PFMA puts both SAA and Eskom at a competitive disadvantage when competition is opened up.\n\nSithole suggests that a 51% shareholding sale in South African Airways would free it from the PFMA's constraints, allowing it to operate as a commercial entity. He emphasizes the need for specific PFMA sections to be exempted rather than a complete abolishment. Eberhard agrees that Eskom can be enabled without removing the PFMA entirely, citing past exemptions given to Eskom for negotiating directly with original equipment manufacturers.\n\nRegarding social obligations, Attard Montalto argues that private sector electricity entities already fulfill substantial social responsibilities as part of their social license to operate. Expert Deon Conradie cautions against transferring social objectives to Eskom, fearing increased tariffs and reduced affordability. Eberhard proposes splitting Eskom's generation business into separate units that compete against each other, with potential corporatisation and private equity involvement. He also suggests Eskom Green as a test for the company's competitiveness in the renewable energy market.",
  "summary": "Electricity minister proposes ways to 'level the playing field'",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "Eskom needs protection against competition, says Ramokgopa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/eskom-needs-protection-against-competition-says-ramokgopa",
        "published": "2026-08-28T02:01:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}