Kgosientso Ramokgopa was appointed as the country’s first electricity minister. [Picture: Gallo Images]
Incoming electricity minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa has a huge task ahead of him, says an energy expert. He will have to coordinate between stakeholders in the government’s response to the ongoing energy crisis.
President Cyril Ramaphosa created the ministry within the presidency in a Cabinet reshuffle announced on Monday evening. The former Tshwane mayor will hold the position for as long as it was necessary, according to the president.
Speaking in an interview on Salaamedia, energy expert Ruse Moleshe said the task was “huge” and largely concerned coordination between stakeholders dealing with loadshedding.
She explained that Ramokgopa, in his capacity as electricity minister, would primarily be responsible for assisting Eskom in overcoming obstacles.
“Sometimes, there’s government processes that can come in the way. That’s what he’s expected to do to help those. He needs to make sure there’s coordination, there is support and no ministries that pull to a different direction,” she said.
SMread: Stolen dollars from Phala Phala were not declared
Coordination
Moleshe stated the electricity minister might have to iron out disagreement between the Department of Public Enterprises and the Department of Minerals and Energy Resources over which direction Eskom should take to secure energy capacity.
“Lately, I’ve been hearing more consensus that the priority is to make sure that the power plants that Eskom owns function optimally so that you avoid the fact that they’re always breaking down. That’s the most important priority at this stage,” she added.
She hoped the consensus would remain in place. But Moleshe also noted there needed to be a differentiation between the power utility’s own two-year plan and the work of Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
“There needs to be a clear differentiation between what Eskom, with their two-year plan, can do and how the ministry can come in,” said Moleshe.
SMread: Wits students protest outside VC’s home
Reaction
Delayed by more than one and a half hours, Ramaphosa appeared on television in a nighttime address to the nation. He announced several changes to the Cabinet, as well as introducing the inaugural electricity minister to the nation.
“To effectively oversee the electricity crisis response, the appointed minister will have political responsibility, authority and control over all critical aspects of the Energy Action Plan,” said Ramaphosa, “This will help to deal with the challenge of fragmentation of responsibility across various departments and ministers which, while appropriate under normal circumstances, is not conducive to a crisis response.”
However, opposition political parties were unhappy about the growing size of the executive.
“Housing both of them [electricity and planning, monitoring and evaluation ministers] in the Presidency means that these ministers will be shielded from accountability in Parliament where a committee on the Presidency still does not exist,” said Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen.
Steenhuisen went on to express ire at the retention of some ministers who had served for decades yet had few achievements to show for it.
“It is less about who President Ramaphosa has added to his Cabinet and more about who has remained or simply not faced any consequences for dismal performance,” he added.
Ramaphosa expunged three political opponents from his Cabinet. He removed Lindiwe Sisulu, Nathi Mthethwa and Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, as well as deputy ministers Phumulo Masualle, Sidumo Dlamini and Thembi Siweya.
He appointed Paul Mashatile as his second-in-command following David Mabuza’s exit.
