Gordhan drove key reforms at power utility - Eskom

JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa mourns the passing of former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, his legacy in public office continues to be under scrutiny.
 
Gordhan headed up public enterprises for six years before bowing out of politics after the general elections earlier this year.

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But before he resigned, the 75-year-old faced mounting pressure to account for a perceived failure to overturn the country’s struggling state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
 
This includes Transnet and Eskom which continue to battle operational and financial constraints, hitting the economy hard.
 
While Gordhan was a fierce contributor to the fight against corruption at State institutions, his critics believed he was out of his depth.
 
But Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says Gordhan was critical in the power utility’s transformation, driving key reforms in the company’s recovery.

"His legacy will live on through us as we rebuild a high performance and ethical Eskom."
 
Gordhan also drew sharp criticism for the troubles at South African Airways, including the failed deal to sell a 51% stake of the SOE to the Takatso Consortium.