Eskom insiders confirm information about the power utility's collapse

[ToxicBunny]

He did fix Eskom and reduce Loadshedding, right?

In any normal functioning country he would not have had a job today. But, then again, this is SA.

@Corelli couldn't fix Eskom or reduce Loadshedding if he tried... he probably thinks big power stations run on a hope and a prayer.

 

[ProfA]

Jeepers, people still defending De Ruyter. Wow. You guys are basically the same as @TheChamp when it comes to anything non-white being criticized. De Ruyter hasn't done a meaningful thing at Eskom except pocket his massive salary. He is Mark Barnes V2.

 

[Pegasus]

Yoh okes hate this guy.

Nope. Its one of rvZA's Afrikaans cousins.

Entertainment not to be taken seriously.

 

[Pegasus]

Jeepers, people still defending De Ruyter. Wow. You guys are basically the same as @TheChamp when it comes to anything non-white being criticized. De Ruyter hasn't done a meaningful thing at Eskom except pocket his massive salary. He is Mark Barnes V2.

What does race have to do with it?

 

[KikzAzz]

And the Black Business Council and all the other useless cadre-aligned organisations have the gaul to call for De Ruyter's head when it is the policies that they support which is leading to Eskom's collapse.

Come on, don't confuse the BBC and Andre haters with the facts

 

[Vorastra]

He did fix Eskom and reduce Loadshedding, right?

Hence why I said champ was defending him by saying he was detached from reality, meaning champ was saying he's wrong for saying De Ruyter did nothing.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Jeepers, people still defending De Ruyter. Wow. You guys are basically the same as @TheChamp when it comes to anything non-white being criticized. De Ruyter hasn't done a meaningful thing at Eskom except pocket his massive salary. He is Mark Barnes V2.

So his reduction of the debt load is nothing meaningful then?

Interesting.

You are also aware that De Ruyter took a significant reduction in pay from Nampak, though let me guess you're one of those who think De Ruyter screwed up Nampak hey?

 

[lkswan747]

Nothing new here folks, move along.

 

[Cius]

Eskom for the amount of power it generates has 3 times more staff than what is typical for that amount of generation. Headcount is an issue. These staff are also incredibly well paid compared to similar power companies in developing nations. Eskom needs a dramatic cut in headcount, which is impossible in SA due to overpowered trade unions holding the government hostage. The only organizations that have managed necessary mass headcount reduction have all been private. Never state owned to my knowledge.

Compounding the situation is the steady decline in skills due to AA/BEE hiring practices and corruption in the hiring process that cared more about transformation and jobs for friends than the core engineering and technical skills needed. This is well documented. There are still some good talent around but they are few and far between and hampered by inept and corrupt management.

Lastly during the Zuma era in particular Eskom was captured and corruption set it an all levels. This rot is deep and while there is ample evidence that the new CEO is making real strides against this corruption those rats in the ship are actively sabotaging the utility to discredit DeReyter to get rid of him.

I have a relative who has worked directly with the current CEO, as well as his many predecessors and he stands head and shoulders above the rest and is an honest man. Let him do what he can. Thing is the real solution is still beyond him due to politics which is mass retrenchment of the rotten wood and hiring quality staff. That wont happen in the current political climate. Hence the solution would be for Eskom to become a power procurer and distribution company and sell its generation fleet to private providers who can fix the headcount and skills issues in ways a government run entity cannot do. I doubt that will happen quickly. It will more likely take a few years to reach that point via steadily buying more and more from private providers, and shutting down the older plants. They may slowly sell off some power plants but I wonder if the unions would even allow that.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

I think it is perhaps time that we change the name for SOE's to reflect the ruling party.

So no more Eskom, let's call it ANC Electrical.

That'll help the less informed to draw a direct line between why they have no power and the parties involved.

Best name change idea ever.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

You are slightly detached from reality.

You spelled totally wrong....

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Jeepers, people still defending De Ruyter. Wow. You guys are basically the same as @TheChamp when it comes to anything non-white being criticized. De Ruyter hasn't done a meaningful thing at Eskom except pocket his massive salary. He is Mark Barnes V2.

No CEO has been ALLOWED to do anything at ESKOM...that is a fact.

At least he wasn't stealing, made money back and attacked corruption, theft and sabotage...things you cannot say about his predecessors.

I would call that some success.

He was never ever going to be allowed to fix ESKOM...that is clear as day.

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

When is the comrades going to realise that BEE is bad everyone not just for white people?

only when it stops being great for the comrades

BBBEE is the single biggest spout of gravy into their pig's trough, whatever else it may be it remains a great opportunity to steal money from the country

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

What was the not so real reason?

apartheid or the global energy crises are among the "not so real reasons"

ANC not to blame for Eskom load shedding - Gordhan | The Citizen

Eskom decommissioning as much as 16GW of its coal-fired power stations immediately could lead to stage 15 load shedding.

www.citizen.co.za

Forgetful Mantashe blames global energy crisis for Eskom load-shedding

Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy correlated South Africa’s power problems with the global energy crisis, even though load-shedding began in 2007.

mybroadband.co.za

 

[Tim_vb]

100% correct. Even in some European countries as well. SA seems to hold on to something that is completely outdated for many years already. That's the problem in having Unions who calls the shots. Shut them down and maybe..... Unfortunately the masses are too stupid to see long term solutions etc & you will have looting, that goes with it.

But then SA also have way too many people, incompetent people. Competent people are few & far between. I look @ this from a different viewpoint, having left 20 years ago. Your load shedding is going to turn 21 & the same problems will still be there. Difference, 15% more people will have Solar, the masses not.

You left 20 years ago... and you still lurk around to chip in your 5c of wisdom on what you think about SA?

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

You left 20 years ago... and you still lurk around to chip in your 5c of wisdom on what you think about SA?

Rather criticize the message...regardless of the messenger?

 

[Emjay]

I dont know how you would do it, but I would simply

FIRE THE CEO

And then fire the entire management executive. They are totally useless. They have been in charge for 2 years and still they havent really done anything to deal with it. The public has said many a times that a lot of Eskom employees need to be shown the door, but that never happens. And the CEO hardly objects to anything. Heck they stole R1.5 billion bucks or parts from under his watch yet he doesnt do anything but keep asking for more money.

De Ruyter should be fired, as simple as that. When a ship sinks, the captain should go down because it all happened during his watch, but he is there as a white puppet to make the tax payers happy, and he isnt really doing anything that he is supposed to be doing, other than deflect the criticism.

I ask everyone this who says the CEO should be fired.

Tell us how you would fix Eskom without proper skills or capital to build infrastructure while a massive portion of your revenue is spent servicing debt. All while your hands are tied behind your back because you have a political party and highly militant unions interfering in your decisions.

Would love for you to give us even one insight. Just ONE.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

So his reduction of the debt load is nothing meaningful then?

That mainly benefits the shareholder though, not us. As CEO his primary obligation is towards the shareholder first, and us second. Which is why we're paying more for less...

 

[ShaunSA]

Ruyters van die windjie out in full force today

 

[Danie_V]

No surprises at all. But the irony is it is probably happening at many other state entities, the difference being that citizens rely directly on Eskom for a critical service. No-one really knows or is affected by what happens at SABC, SAA, and others as there are fully competent competitors to provide services. Transnet does also affect many but at least there are more costly alternatives.