Stages 8, 9 or 10: We are in the grip of the worst crisis in Eskom’s 100 years

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 21 Apr   [ron_derby] Next Wednesday, Eskom’s last chief executive officer, Andre de Ruyter will finally reveal more details about his almost three years running the state-owned company and the corruption that thwarted his attempts to turn around the 100-year-old power utility. We’ll be looking out for clarity on just who the two ministers are that are so invested in the just energy transition and to what ends. De Ruyter will speak to parliament in a time when in all likelihood we will be in stage six or eight load-shedding — almost half the day spent without electricity for most of us. Our anger will grow at the corruption that thrives among some of Eskom’s more than 32 000 employees. It’s a rotten enterprise, with not too many brave executives out there willing to stomach the fight it would take to clean up operations — especially with a flaky shareholder that is the state. But as bad as corruption is in Eskom, let’s not forget that the only reason we are at this point is the result of indecision over electricity for more than 25 years. More coal, nuclear, renewables — this has been a long-running debate without any end in sight. Over the weekend, the ANC will debate them once again but will there be a decision? Ultimately, we should perhaps accept darkness as our ever persistent friend. The new electricity minister rightfully looks rather spooked by his hard reality. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [GettyImages-1229796241]( [If it’s not coal, then go for nuclear, says energy department]( The mineral resources and energy department is pushing for nuclear power but experts argue that this is unsafe and will take too long to implement [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [King Misuzulu Zwelithini]( Premium [Ingonyama Trust Board gets a new chairperson]( The nomination of Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela by the Zulu king clears the way for a permanent board to be appointed This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [Melon-Mobile-hand]( [New digital mobile virtual network operator Melon Mobile enters SA market]( Melon Mobile will piggyback on the MTN network for complete coverage, including 5G connectivity [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [RAF board ‘not fit for purpose’, must be dismissed, Scopa chair says]( The Road Accident Fund has been in a tussle with the auditor general over the use of accounting standards. [// Read more]( [How South Africa can prepare itself for coalition governance]( Advanced democracies with coalition governments and strong committees understand the necessity of developing rules and institutions to mitigate executive unaccountability [// Read more]( [Gun-wielding thugs terrorise students at UKZN’s Durban campus]( Just last week, armed criminals stormed the varsity library and stole valuables [// Read more]( [Gordhan, Mantashe take on Ramokgopa during cabinet meeting]( The ‘big bulls’ told the electricity minister that his plan to extend Eskom’s coal fired plants should be taken to the National Energy Crisis Committee [// Read more]( [Celebrating Africa’s art and soul]( What does it mean to be African in the contemporary art world? [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Komati] Shadow economy: Mpumalanga is home to six of the nine Eskom coal-fired power stations scheduled to shut down by 2035. Photo: Dianah Chiyangwa [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa