Business community mourns ex-Eskom chairperson Jabu Mabuza

THE BUSINESS community yesterday continued to express its collective grief at the unexpected death of former Eskom chairperson Jabu Mabuza, who succumbed to Covid-19 complications on Wednesday.

Tributes poured in yesterday for Mabuza, whose career started from humble beginnings when he operated a taxi business in the 1980s to serving on boards of several JSE-listed companies.

The 63-year-old Mabuza later headed one of the country’s most influential lobby groups, Business Unity South Africa (Busa), as its president.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him to serve on the Eskom board in January 2018, and following the resignation of former chief executive Phakamani Hadebe a year later, he played the dual role of chairperson and acting chief executive.

However, he quit last January when the embattled utility rolled out load shedding, threatening to exacerbate the country’s economic troubles.

Eskom chairperson Malegapuru Makgoba described Mabuza as an outstanding leader.

“Mabuza led Eskom during one of the most difficult periods in the organisation’s history,” Makgoba said. “He was an exemplary leader and an advocate for clean governance. We are grateful for his service at Eskom and salute him for his enormous contribution to our country. His legacy will live on.”

Makgoba said great strides were made during his tenure in addressing allegations of financial mismanagement and a myriad of issues related to lapses in governance processes and other internal controls within the organisation.

“These efforts resulted in the stabilisation of Eskom, improving investor and public confidence and laying a solid foundation for the organisation’s turnaround,” he said.

Mabuza also chaired Telkom, the

partially state-owned telecommunications group, and was currently non-executive chairperson at Sun International, and an independent director at MultiChoice.

Mabuza’s family said he was a gallant fighter for the political and economic freedom of South Africans.

“At 63, Jabu lived his life so beautifully and committed to the transformation of South Africa’s economy. He was a pillar of strength for his family, a dedicated servant of the country, an activist in empowering black entrepreneurs and committed to work for the transformation of corporate South Africa,” the family said in a statement.

Mabuza served on the Corporate Council on Africa in Washington DC as a board member and chaired the Regional Business Council for World Economic Forum among others.

He led Busa until 2018 and was also a co-convener of the CEO Initiative to look into how to revive the ailing South African economy.

Busa president Sipho Pityana said he would always regard Mabuza as a true leader, a man of integrity, and someone who was never afraid to speak his mind.

“He will be sorely missed at a time when we need all hands on deck to resolve the massive challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic, and its impact on business and society. He was a consummate gentleman, a courageous leader and a true South

African.”

Busa deputy-president Martin Kingston said he was dumbfounded at the sad and tragic passing of a patriot and friend.

“Our country has lost a beautiful person and a great leader. We remember his lovely nature and his outstanding leadership, both in the private and public sectors!” Kingston said.