Eskom has announced that Dan Marokane – who was named group CEO on December 8, almost a full year after André de Ruyter formally resigned – will assume office on March 1, 2024.

Previously, Eskom indicated that Marokane would join the organisation no later than March 31, 2024, so as to allow him time to finalise his existing responsibilities.

At the time when his appointment as Eskom CEO was announced, Marokane was leading troubled sugar producer Tongaat Hullett, which this week named Rob Aitken as acting CEO, following news that the Vision Partners consortium had succeeded in acquiring the company out of business rescue.

Chairperson Mteto Nyati said Eskom employees were excited to learn that Marokane would be rejoining the utility, as "[they] remember his hands-on leadership style that is needed right now".

Marokane worked at Eskom for several years, but departed in 2015 after being suspended following what was later found to be his taking a stand against fraud and corruption at the utility.

He is a qualified chemical engineer who also has an MBA and some 20 years' experience in senior executive positions.

Nyati also expressed the board's gratitude to Calib Cassim, who stepped in as acting CEO, following De Ryter's earlier-than-expected departure in early 2022, following an explosive television interview in which he outlined worrying levels of ongoing corruption and criminality.

"Through his [Cassim's] stewardship, Eskom managed to navigate through challenges and achieved significant milestones,” Nyati said in a statement.