COMMENTARY | Choose a woman to lead Eskom

Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL) is pleading with the Eskom board to employ a competent and qualified woman to lead the power utility. The state-owned utility’s inability to provide energy security to homes, businesses, institutions, and transport infrastructure is deepening the fractures in our societal and political lives.

Over the last two decades, Eskom has spectacularly failed to deliver consistent and reliable power to the country, resulting in frustration and agitation across all stakeholder groups. As such, the CEO will have to be astute and experienced in working across a plethora of stakeholder groupings. To this end, the CEO will have to be an effective communicator and stakeholder manager — and, as SAWIL, we are of the view that South Africa has more than enough women capable to run the utility.

Since its inception, Eskom has never had — nor considered — a woman to lead the company, and we strongly believe it is time the board investigates this proposition.

UN Women said: “Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, data shows that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and achieving gender parity in the economy is far off ... at the current rate gender equality in the highest position of power will not be reached for another 130 years.”

With that astounding information, it is important to note that the energy sector in South Africa is currently undergoing a major transformation, with new sources of power and technology transforming the way we generate, store, and distribute electricity. As the industry transitions towards a more sustainable future, how better a time will it be to also transition to a new leadership style — led by a capable woman. Therefore, it is essential for Eskom to consider employing a female executive to take the country out of the dark — literally.

A strong and competent female presence in the energy sector can be a powerful asset for any company. Female executives bring a unique set of skills to the table that can help propel the industry forward. For example, McKinsey’s recent Women in the Workplace study has found that women bring an increased focus on collaboration and consensus-building, which can help organisations to better manage their internal and external relationships. In addition, female executives are more likely to take a holistic approach to problem-solving, which can make them better equipped to handle the multifaceted challenges of the energy sector.

Another key benefit of having female executives in the energy sector is that it helps to create a more diverse and equitable workplace. Despite years of progress, women in South Africa are still underrepresented in the corporate world, particularly in leadership roles. By appointing a competent and qualified woman to lead Eskom, the utility can create a more diverse and inclusive environment that is better equipped to handle the dynamic challenges of the industry. This move will also serve as an inspiration and motivation to aspiring women leaders across the country, showing that their talents and skills are valued and welcomed in the highest positions of power.

There are several options we ought to consider in ending this electricity crisis quickly, and one of the easiest options to consider is to hire a woman CEO immediately. This is not a call to hire a woman leader just for the sake of doing it. This is a reminder to the overall public that South Africa has a plethora of women leaders with a proven track record who are underutilised.

— Seipati Asante Mokhuoa is executive chairperson of SAWIL, a vehicle for women leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals in Africa seeking to advance their careers through leadership training, executive coaching, entrepreneurship training, masterclasses, board training, mentorship, and networking. Its objective is transforming and diversifying leadership composition, to bring a strategic approach towards women's development and empowerment.