Brian Molefe’s departure after a short career as the chief executive of Eskom is both good and bad. For SA, that is. Let’s start with the good. Molefe’s departure is good in that it demonstrates leadership, decency and acceptance of accountability. It shows he is still redeemable, whatever his flaws may be.
The act of a person who holds a position of trust in SA of falling on his sword is as rare as Molefe’s talent.
What seems to always escape our public representatives, particularly those in the state and government, is the reason they are in those positions. Leaders should command, not demand, the trust of the people of this country. Instead, the system is littered with big ego s devoid of honour or integrity.
Unlike Molefe, many refuse to do the honourable thing once that trust evaporates. But then again, only honourable men are capable of honourable deeds. Once Molefe’s integrity and honesty were questioned by no less than honourable civil servant Thuli Madonsela, he did the honourable thing and left the stage.
In so doing, he refused to be part of those worthies who could not spell "honour" if their lives depended on it. He left behind many such on the Eskom and Transnet boards and executive.
For at least a decade now, the nation has been in the hands of people among whom are thieves and fraudsters masquerading as statesmen and businessmen. The boardrooms and high offices of the state and government are infested with spineless civil servants and public representatives whose imaginations are so fertile that they have resorted to inventing things such as "fire pools" in order to sustain their ways.
By resigning when his own integrity was questioned, Molefe knew he had lost the trust that would have earned him the job in the first place.
Both Eskom and Transnet came out of the public protector’s "State of Capture" report smelling like manure because of business the two entities undertook with Molefe at the helm. Those sweetheart deals for the Gupta family in the companies filled acres of newspapers for all the wrong reasons, dragging with them a reputation that shone bright over more than 20 years of loyal service to the nation.
A competent and efficient manager, Molefe had no peer in the state.
Decency and resolve
His departure is welcome as it scores a rare victory for accountability. It shows he still carries within him some of that decency and resolve that drew a young Molefe student leader to involvement in resistance and liberation politics all those years ago.
For the managerial brilliance that will be lost with his departure I weep. A good manager who knew how to motivate staff to overcome the impossible has been lost. It is for that brilliance that Molefe’s departure is bad for Eskom.
Not himself an engineer, the outsider perspective he brought to the job no doubt made a big difference. Many a poor, black child saw in him what is possible through hard, honest work.
It is my sincere hope that Molefe will use his time off not only to clear his name of the corruption that is implied in the actions of Eskom and Transnet under his leadership, but also to reflect honestly.
He will do himself, his young wife, his three children and his relatives a great favour by looking honestly at his role and answering truthfully whether any part of it is worth the tears and torment of his children at school and university.
Unfortunately, his poor judgment, hunger for power and love of things material have electrocuted a fine career and symbol of transformation. Thus a role model for the young has been lost.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.