Godsell reconfirms his resignation

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pretoria - Former Eskom board chairman Bobby Godsell has reconfirmed his resignation.

Last week it was announced that both Godsell and former Chief Executive Officer, Jacob Maroga, had resigned from the state utility. However, media reports suggested that Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan would at the weekend try and change Godsell's mind about resigning.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, Godsell said he had "reconfirmed my resignation to Minister Hogan."

Mpho Makwana was appointed by the minister to act as chairman of the board.

Godsell, who has chaired the board since June 2008, said in the brief statement that he believed the board had the backing it needed from government.

He said during the course of last week the Eskom board had been able to act decisively.

"Government, particularly as indicated by Minister Hogan's address to Parliament, has given the board the backing it needed. Mpho Makwana has already demonstrated his wise and calm leadership capacities in the press conference he conducted last Thursday," said Godsell.

The former chair said the strong management team at Eskom would soon be strengthened by new appointments in the Finance and Human Resources sections.

"Eskom is ready to move forward under new leadership. It is this new leadership that must write the new chapter. I have therefore reconfirmed my resignation to Minister Hogan," said Godsell.

The Public Enterprises Ministry has meanwhile thanked Godsell for his tenure at the power utility and wished him well.

"Since his appointment he has displayed exemplary leadership to the organisation. The department has always welcomed Mr Godsell's contribution to advancing the state's strategic intent for Eskom," The ministry said in a statement.

It further said that while Godsell's departure was a loss for Eskom, it shared his confidence in and support of the board under its current leadership.

"The minister would like to thank Godsell for his support and commitment to Eskom," said the ministry.