South Africa’s state-owned power utility Eskom’s spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha is expected to leave the organisation after serving it for three years, the firm has announced.
Senior manager for Eskom’s Retail Centre of Excellence, Daphne Mokwena is expected to act as the corporation’s spokesperson until the recruitment of a permanent replacement, the power utility said.
Newly-appointed Eskom interim group chief executive Calib Cassim hailed Mantshantsha’s contribution during “a difficult period” at the firm.
“Sikonathi has been the catalyst in Eskom improving transparency and frequency of information sharing, and in dealing with several difficult media engagements during his tenure,” Cassim said.
He said Mantshantsha had agreed to join Eskom as spokesperson to lead the media desk “during a difficult period in which the organisation needed to restore trust and credibility in its dealings with the public and stakeholders.”
“Over the course of three years, Mantshantsha helped improve Eskom’s public image by driving honest and frank communication in the media domain on Eskom’s real position during a difficult period characterised by operating difficulties and increased load-shedding,” Cassim said.
Eskom has been in the news for the wrong reasons lately due to rolling power cuts being experienced by South Africa.
NM/jn/APA