The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) in collaboration with the Faculty of Management Sciences recently hosted an eye-opening public lecture on Eskom Turnaround with Dr Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom Board at the Urban Futures Centre boardroom at Steve Biko campus in Durban.
Dr Nyati was accompanied by his team members from Eskom consisting of General Manager Central, Kevin Pillay, Senior Manager Business Enablement, Zuhdi Hamza, Senior Advisor Stakeholder, Zethu Sonjica and Officer Social and Economic, Zinhle Mnguni.
Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT warmly welcomed Dr Nyati and shared that to be visited by Eskom’s Chairman at DUT was an honour.
“Without energy, there is no production, therefore it is an honor for us in this public lecture to have the chairman of the Eskom Board to give us some insight. I also want to thank our Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Azwitevhelwi Nevhutalu for introducing us to Dr Nyati. He advised us to talk to Dr Nyathi as he has lot to share. Dr Nyati we welcome you,’’ said Prof Netswera.
Dr Nyathi is an Executive Chairman of BSG, a homegrown consulting and technology company that specialises in strategy execution. He is also a Chairman of the Eskom Board. Previously he was the Group Chief Executive of Altron and Chief Executive Officer of MTN South Africa.
The lecture aimed to give an insight about Eskom and the progress of their turnaround strategy where he believed that the leadership has been a vital part on their Eskom’s turnaround strategies.
In his lecture Dr Nyati, emphasised the importance of the leadership in any organisation and how it is vital for its success or failure. He also gave the breakdown of the KZN Eskom team from the board member and to the executive team.
“Leadership matters wherever you are. Great leadership skills require one to be courageous and know your story. Stand your ground and it does not matter what people say. Diversity is very important, for the quality team you have. Having no diversity comes with consequences. Diversities comes in many ways. It can be age, gender and race,’’ said Dr Nyathi.
Dr Nyati also highlighted one of the core challenges that are lowering the progress including fraud, corruption and owing municipalities. However, Dr Nyati believes if they stay disciplined to the recovery plan and receive support the load shedding is likely to stop in 2025.
Professor Sudesh Rathilal; Acting Executive Dean; Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at DUT extended his gratitude to Dr Nyati for his enlightening lecture. He also expressed his interests of expanding the relationship with Dr Nyati at DUT.
“What you were saying has just shown us that he is not just sitting at the head of the table, but he is doing the work. This talk was fantastic, it brought a different and positive perspective from what is perceived about Eskom. Thank you so much for doing this for us. We really appreciate that we can expand this relationship because there is a lot that we can learn from you,’’ said Prof Rathilal.
Professor Suren Singh, Executive Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at DUT was also amongst the attendees and Dr Nevhutalu; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning who also appreciated Dr Nyati with a gift.
Pictured: Dr Mteto Nyati, Chairman of the Eskom Board at the Public Lecture on Eskom Turnaround.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Vukani Langa
