Andre de Ruyter has been appointed as Eskom’s new CEO, replacing Phakamani Hadebe, who stepped down in July and Jabu Mabuza, who stood in as acting CEO.
De Ruyter, who is currently CEO of Africa’s largest packaging company, Nampak, will assume his position on 15 January.
“I would like to thank Mr. de Ruyter for not only accepting this position at a difficult time for Eskom, but, given Eskom current financial situation, also agreeing to a lower compensation package than the position currently pays,” Minister of Public Enterprises, H.E. Pravin Gordhan, said in a statement on Monday.
Gordhan added that de Ruyter will work with government, management and the Eskom board to lead the re-organization of Eskom, which includes the separation of Eskom into three entities including generation, transmission and distribution, and the creation of Eskom Holdings.
De Ruyter has over 20 years’ experience working in various senior management roles for South African petrochemicals group, Sasol, giving him notable global exposure in the energy and chemicals industries.
“Congratulations to Mr De Ruyter, and I offer him my best wishes as he takes the helm of this important national asset,” he said.
