SAMANTHA ENSLIN-PAYNE: New CEO misread the situation at Eskom
Hadebe has never led an organisation where unions wield such power
As the numbers keep rolling in - a contraction in economic growth, a slump in business confidence and a spike in the petrol price - we have had our fill (gatvol, actually), especially as we thought the country was turning the corner. On Thursday, it got worse: Eskom began load-shedding a week after CEO Phakamani Hadebe told Business Times: "Unless something drastic happens, I don't see us load-shedding." Well, something drastic did happen, and it's surprising Eskom management didn't see it coming. The disruption to coal deliveries by incensed workers as well as sabotage have been cited as the chief causes of load-shedding. But Eskom has also had ongoing coal-supply problems. It is required to have a 20-day stockpile as a minimum at its power stations, but earlier this month six power stations were below the required level. Hadebe, who was recently appointed CEO, has a strong track record both in government institutions and the corporate sector. But, for all his experience, he and hi...
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