Eskom is showing the way towards the empowerment of women in the workplace

Dear Fellow South African,  

We have just ended Women’s Month, in which we have celebrated the achievements of South Africa’s women across many areas of life. 

We have recognised the great progress that has been made in improving the position of women in our society. We have also recognised the many challenges that still remain and the tasks that we must undertake to build a truly non-sexist and equal society.

At the same time, the country has gone more than 150 days without load shedding. This is in large part due to the concerted efforts of the leadership and staff of Eskom to improve the performance of its power stations.

While there is much attention on what Eskom is doing to stabilise our electricity system, another significant change has been quietly underway at the company over the course of the last few years. Women are taking a more prominent role in the work of Eskom and are playing a pivotal role in keeping the country’s lights on.

Two years ago I met with Eskom’s power station managers and I was pleased to see that a number of them were women. I found this to be a complete departure from the past where power station managers were always white men. This represented tremendous transformation on a demographic as well as gender basis.

The inspiring story of Maserati Lesolang, the general manager of the Matla power station in Mpumalanga, is a demonstration of Eskom’s successes in growing a new generation of female leaders. Under Lesolang’s able leadership, Matla power station has implemented a turnaround plan resulting in it now being among Eskom’s better performing power stations.

At a number of state-owned enterprises, women are excelling not only in management and leadership positions, but also in technical roles and occupations that were previously the preserve of men. 

Within Eskom itself, women are working as power station managers, engineers, artisans, operators and technicians.  

This is the result of a deliberate and sustained initiative to increase female representation in the form of Eskom’s Women Advancement Programme. The programme was launched ten years ago to redress the under-representation of women in leadership and technical roles at Eskom.  

The programme’s focus has been on creating a pipeline of female leaders. It has also focused on transforming workplace culture to make it more gender-friendly, on skilling and training more women to occupy specialist roles, to conduct outreach in communities where Eskom operates, and to address issues of equal work for equal pay. 

Among the achievements of the programme since its inception has been that just over 33% of Eskom’s workforce is now female, 20% of Eskom executives are women, and women occupy approximately 43% of senior management roles. This is important progress, but there is still same way to go to achieve gender parity.

Eskom has succeeded in narrowing the gender pay gap from 41% to below 6%. The company’s procurement spend on black-women owned businesses has increased from R6 billion in 2013 to over R16 billion by 2022. 

The national power utility continues to invest heavily in skilling and training for women, with just over half of further study opportunities at Eskom taken up by women. 

Another key focus area of the programme is conducting outreach at schools and in communities to encourage female learners to consider future careers at Eskom.

Earlier this year Eskom also launched a Young Professionals Development Programme, a graduate trainee programme that places participants in positions across the span of its operations. Eskom has made a concerted effort to encourage female graduates to apply. 

We call on other companies, both public and private, to put in place deliberate programmes to eradicate workplace discrimination and make workplaces more conducive to women’s participation and development. Companies need to empower women in decision-making and technical roles. This is to ensure that every workplace and every occupation reflects the demographics of our country. 

We must commend the leadership of Eskom and of other state-owned entities, as well as many other businesses, for all they are doing to advance gender equality in the workplace.

By continuing and intensifying this work, we can make sure that we have more and more to celebrate during Women’s Month in the years to come.

With best regards,
 

We must work together to fulfil Chief Justice Zondo’s immense legacy
 
Dear Fellow South African,  
 
The Constitutional Court held a special sitting on Wednesday last week to pay tribute to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on the occasion of his retirement from the court. It was a fitting end to a distinguished legal career and a worthy celebration of a jurist who has upheld and championed our democratic constitutional order.
 
During a career spent in the service of justice, one of Judge Zondo’s most prominent and outstanding contributions was as the chairperson of the judicial commission established to investigate allegations of state capture and other corruption. It has become known as the Zondo Commission.
 
Through the work of the commission, which Judge Zondo led with diligence and integrity, the country came to understand what happened during the era of state capture. There were revelations on who was involved. We saw what effect state capture had on our state, economy and society. It was a huge undertaking, involving more than 400 days of hearings, over 300 witnesses and more than 1.7 million pages of documentary evidence.
 
The report of the commission contained findings and recommendations that will help define the course of public affairs in South Africa for many years to come. Judge Zondo has established standards of ethical conduct, accountability and transparency that enable us to build a better society.
 
Since Judge Zondo handed over the commission’s report to the President, we have been hard at work to implement its recommendations. Not only have we worked to hold those responsible for state capture to account and to recover stolen funds, but we have also put in place laws, institutions and practices to ensure that state capture never happens again. We continue to take steps to prevent, detect and act against corruption.
 
In the last few months, I have signed into law several pieces of legislation that respond directly to the commission’s recommendations and which, in many instances, will fundamentally change the way government works.
 
The Public Procurement Act is one such law. It recognises the assertion by Judge Zondo that corruption in procurement was “the centrepiece of state capture”. Among other things, the law prohibits any person from trying to interfere with or influence procurement. Suppliers who abuse the system are debarred from participating in future procurement processes. Certain categories of people – mainly public office bearers and people who work for the state – may not do business with the state.
 
Another law is the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act, which establishes the Investigating Directorate against Corruption. The Directorate will be a permanent, prosecution-led agency with full criminal investigative powers. It will be able to recruit and retain specialist skills and develop capabilities such as the collection and analysis of digital evidence.
 
The Electoral Matters Amendment Act, which was signed into law in May, amended the Political Party Act to make it a criminal offence to make donations to gain political influence or favour. 
 
In responding to another recommendation by the Commission, the Companies Second Amendment Act strengthens actions against delinquent directors or company officers for wrongdoing. It extends the period during which proceedings may be launched to recover any loss, damages or costs against such a person.
 
Other draft legislation is currently being considered by Parliament which would, among other things, make a clear distinction between the powers of elected officials, such as Ministers, and professional public servants, such as Directors-General. This will help to prevent the kind of undue political interference that the State Capture Commission found sometimes enabled corruption. As part of the draft legislation, public servants who leave government may not, within 12 months of leaving, accept employment or appointment to the board of a service provider to which they were involved in awarding a contract.
 
Work is underway, with the assistance of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, to review the country’s anti-corruption architecture. Other areas where policy reforms are being considered is in the appointment of key positions like the SARS Commissioner and the National Director of Public Prosecutions, support and protection of whistle-blowers, and the creation of a statutory offence for the abuse of public powers.
 
As we strengthen our efforts to prevent and combat corruption, in line with the recommendations of the state capture commission, our law enforcement agencies have been undertaking investigations recommended by the commission against alleged perpetrators.
 
The state has secured nearly R10 billion in forfeiture orders and settlement agreements linked to State Capture cases. In addition, preservation and restraint orders to the value of R17 billion have been granted while court processes are underway.
 
All of this work demonstrates that the recommendations of the State Capture Commission are being steadily and thoroughly implemented across government. 
 
But there is much more to do. Not only do we need to complete the reforms we have embarked on and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book, but we need to continuously work to build a society in which corruption no longer has any place.
 
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo can retire from office knowing that he has done his country an invaluable service. It is now our responsibility as a society to work together to give effect to his legacy and to build a fairer, just and ethical nation.
 
With best regards,
 

Let us harness improved confidence to drive inclusive growth

Dear Fellow South African,  
 
Over the last few months, we have seen a growing confidence among investors, businesses and citizens about the prospects for our economy.
 
The latest Business Confidence Index published by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) points to an increase in business confidence since the elections in May. This sentiment is evident in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s All-Share Price Index, which increased by about 8% from the end of May to the end of July 2024. 
 
This is welcome news, particularly in light of the most recent employment figures released by Statistics South Africa, which show that unemployment remains extremely high at 33.5%.
 
Business confidence is so important to our efforts to create jobs because it signals an improved business environment and encourages new investment. Greater investment in the economy enables faster growth and more job opportunities.
 
For several years, the country has experienced low levels of business confidence. Business confidence was negatively affected by the prolonged electricity crisis, state capture, concerns about corruption, the decline of state-owned enterprises and the manner in which law enforcement agencies had been compromised.
 
Investors have also been concerned about obstacles to growth, such as delays in the release of broadband spectrum, inefficiencies in ports and rail operations, and regulations that have slowed down licencing processes.
 
The successful holding of our national and provincial elections in May and the formation of the Government of National Unity have had a positive effect on business confidence. The progress we have recorded in our reform process thus far has also contributed to the improved sentiment.
 
We have shown our determination to tackle corruption. Bodies like the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Hawks are reinvigorated and have brought several high-profile cases to trial. The permanent establishment of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate has given further impetus to the fight against corruption.
 
Crime is being tackled. Across the country initiatives such as Operation Shanela have upped the war on crime. We are clamping down on illicit mining operations. Criminal syndicates involved in cable theft and extortion at construction sites are being dealt with. 
 
Through a concerted effort from all stakeholders, we have confronted the electricity crisis. We have now had more than 140 consecutive days without load shedding. There has been a huge increase in new power generation capacity. 
 
Investors have seen the growth opportunities in the far-reaching energy reforms we are undertaking. Just last week, I signed into law the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, which will enable the establishment of a competitive electricity market.
 
The progress we have made in electricity gives us confidence that we can overcome the problems on our freight rail lines and in our ports. Transnet’s recovery plan is showing progress. The private sector is providing significant technical support and resources to Transnet Freight Rail and Port Terminals.
 
In Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, new state-of-the-art passenger trains are ferrying commuters along refurbished and newly reopened rail corridors. This saves users considerably in terms of commuting time and transportation costs. 
 
We have made changes to immigration regulations that make it easier to attract skills, investment and tourists into the country. We have also significantly speeded up approval processes for water use licences and energy projects, and released broadband spectrum to unleash the potential of our telecommunications industry.
 
We are also making progress on infrastructure investment. According to Nedbank’s Capital Expenditure Project Listing, the value of fixed investment project announcements in the first half of this year rose to approximately R800 billion. This was up sharply from just over R190 billion in 2023. The public sector accounts for most of these projects, in areas such as energy, transportation, health facility upgrades, roads and housing. 
 
As Government, we held a meeting with business leaders last week. Business expressed optimism about the recovery and growth of our economy. They committed themselves to a new era of partnership with government. We agreed on key actions we must now take to build on the progress that has already been made.  
 
We cannot rebuild our country unless all South Africans work together. We will continue to work with business, labour and other social partners to drive the structural reform process that will boost inclusive economic growth and jobs.
 
There is indeed an air of optimism in our country. Let us harness this confidence and goodwill to increase the momentum of our shared efforts to build and strengthen our economy.
 
With best regards,

Making public funds work for all South Africans

Dear Fellow South African,

In the report of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo described corruption in procurement as “the centrepiece of state capture”. He consequently made a number of recommendations on how to prevent corruption in the procurement of goods and services by government.

A few days ago, as part of the extensive work we are undertaking to prevent corruption and consign state capture to the past, I signed into law the Public Procurement Act.

This law eliminates the problem identified by Chief Justice Zondo of fragmentation in procurement laws by creating a cohesive regulatory framework.

Among other things, the law establishes a Public Procurement Office in the National Treasury, which must put in place measures to ensure the integrity of the procurement process. All the members of this office must perform their functions impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice.

The Public Procurement Office must promote standardisation in procurement and modernise the system through technology and innovation. The law focuses on the people who are involved in procurement, requiring them to comply with a code of conduct and receive professional development and training.

No government official may be directed, either verbally or in writing, to violate the required procurement processes. And no official can be victimised or suffer ‘occupational detriment’ for reporting any unlawful instruction. This is an important provision because many of the abuses that took place during the state capture era involved political office bearers, business people and others putting pressure on managers to flout procurement regulations.

The law specifically prohibits any person from interfering with or trying to influence any procurement, or trying to tamper with any tender bid after its submission or award. Suppliers who are found to abuse the procurement system or otherwise commit fraud and corruption are prevented through a ‘debarment order’ from participating in any procurement processes for a specified period.

Certain categories of people are automatically excluded from submitting bids to the State. These include public office bearers, public servants in any sphere of government, officials in Parliament and provincial legislatures, special advisers and employees of public entities. In other words, people who work for the state may not do business with the state.

The Act will also make the procurement system far more transparent. It provides for the use of technology to disclose procurement information, including awards of bids, the process followed and suppliers awarded. This follows our decision in 2020 to make information on all COVID-related contracts available online. No longer will tenders be awarded in dark corners far from public scrutiny.

Public procurement is about getting the best value for the state. It is also an opportunity to promote transformation of the economy and society. The new law therefore provides for set-asides in the allocation of contracts to advance companies owned by people historically disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. These include black South Africans, women, youth, persons with disabilities and military veterans.

The approach in the Act is in line with the Constitutional requirement that public procurement must be done in accordance with a system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. The Constitution also says that this should not prevent procurement policies that provide for the protection or advancement of people disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.

The Act will enable and encourage the procurement of goods that are produced and services that are provided in South Africa. It will enable government and public entities to use procurement more strategically and effectively to promote the growth of local industry and to create jobs to meet the needs of the state.

As we intensify our collective efforts to build an inclusive economy that creates jobs, the Public Procurement Act allows us to make best use of public funds to support transformation and local development.

At the same time, by implementing measures to prevent the abuse of public procurement, the Act will help to ensure that public funds are put to the uses for which they are intended.

The report of the State Capture Commission shone a bright light on the weaknesses in our public procurement system. We are now fixing the problems the Commission identified and are making public procurement a more effective instrument for social and economic change.

With best regards,