Eskom: What really happened?

I'm supposed to file this column on a Tuesday evening at the latest. But this week I kept my cool and held my fire until I could look into the whites (if you'll pardon the word) of either Jacob Maroga's eyes or Bobby Godsell's, or preferably both.

I wanted - while Little Julie Malema and Zwelinzima Vavi sprinkled holy water and Desmond Tutu sang "Kumbaya, my lord" - to see Maroga and Godsell standing together on that Megawatt Park podium, clasping hands, hugging one another in the best ANC/Struggle manner and telling us that bygones were Saigons and that they were going to work together and both put their queer shoulders to the turbine.

(No, no, neither is gay, as best I know. It's a quote from an old Allen Ginsberg poem, America: "I'd better get right down to the job./ It's true I don't want to join the Army or turn lathes in precision parts factories, I'm nearsighted and psychopathic anyway./ [Nevertheless,] America I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel.")

Alas, it was not to be. Yesterday we encountered a fellow called Mpho Makwana instead. He was pretty cool - low key, calm, the antithesis of arrogance - and he told us that Maroga had indeed resigned and that he, Makwana, was the acting chairman and CEO, and - to cut his story even shorter - that play, which had been interrupted by a small squall, was back on, and we would still have lights and power for a while, at least until shabbes a fortnight.

And I thought to myself: "Well, that dude is pretty cool and that was a bit of an anti-climax - and so what was all that Sturm und Drang from Vytjie Mentor and Terry ‘ting-a-ling' Bell earlier on e-TV? They, along with other folk in the media, made me think that Seffrica was about to dissolve and disappear into the sea. Jeez, those folk in the media are a bunch of panic mechanics. Everything's cool; what was the fuss about?"

But I cogitated a bit more (sometimes I do that) and realised that this morning we probably know even less than we have during the last couple of weeks.

We sort of know what happened with Maroga, but that's all. He had had a meeting with the board; and the chairman - and maybe a few others besides - said to him: "Lookit here, Jake. Look at this list. There's a lot of stuff that you are supposed to have done, but haven't. Now, listen dude, you get paid a shit load to do this stuff. And yet 43 of the items on the list of 44 have not been done. This is not right."

At which point - and I sympathise with Maroga (I too must attend meetings with my head of department, Anton the Harbinger, and he also hauls out a little list from his pocket and fixes me with a beady eye) - Maroga grows irritated and says: "My brothers, who do you think's been piloting this heap of flatulence through stormy waters and taking all the flack? If you don't like the way I work, you can kiss my Royal Canadian. In fact [and remember it had been a long, trying day for Maroga], in fact I'm outta here. I resign."

But then he arrived home and Mrs. M, bless her, said: "You did what? Jacob, are you out of your tiny electrical engineer's mind? Do you know how much boodle you just kissed goodbye? If you, my little pudding, ever - ever - want you-know-what again, you'll go right back there to that place and tell them that you were a bit over-hasty."

So Maroga thinks it through and then he gets on the blower to his buddies at the Black Management Forum, the ANC Yoof League, and the Naledi Ratepayers' Association - and he tells that everyone to start banging the drum because the whiteys - in the shape of that ex-PFP and ex-Anglo creature with the bad haircut - to wit, one Bobby Godsell - was on his case.

"Have a look at the ‘Net," Maroga said to his friends. "This unreconstructed whitey Godsell was born in September 1952. This means he is a Virgoan and therefore anal retentive to boot - hence his list."

So Maroga goes back to the board and says he was only kidding and he hadn't really resigned and anyway that his diabetes medication makes him a trifle impetuous, and so on.

What he didn't realise was that most of the okes were happy to see him go. In truth, he had been getting up their noses. They were bloody sick and tired of their espresso machines not working at vital moments. Then the trouble began because Maroga said that he had in any case never resigned; but they said that they had all heard him.

But we are good, kind people in this country. We don't just tell people to take a walk (well, maybe we do in the media sector, but certainly not in the public sector). We like folk to retain their "dignity" (as Makwana called it). Consequently we get into a pretty long, protracted and undignified row with the person about filthy lucre and how much he or she will or will not get at the taxpayer's expense - all of it under the watchful and inaccurate eye of the so-called media.

Consider the case of Dali Mapoofey. Consider the case of Maroga - who, even though he might not be getting a golden handshake, has doubtless pushed off with an agreement that he doesn't have to pay back his large housing loan - not in a hurry anyway.

This much we know or surmise.

What we don't know is what happened (a) when Godsell went to see President Jacob G Zuma and (b) why, having been to visit JZ, Godsell fell on his sword?

Did JZ perhaps say the following? "Oh, my brother, good to see you as always. Pull up a chair - there, there, that striped one next to Mrs. Zuma number four. Listen, my brother, I know you like to get things done and all that quaint first world nonsense - we, in my rural village in KZN, know that actually nothing ever gets done in life - but listen, my brother, Eskom is not your company. It's ours. It's mine and Zwelinzima's and Blade's and Julie's. You can't go round firing the boss there without first telling me and Babs [Hogan]. You should at least have spoken to us. This is not Anglo, china." [Bobby put this conversation rather well in his statement about his resignation: "Thus far government, as Eskom's sole shareholder, has been unable either to support the board's original decision (to accept the resignation) or its two attempts at resolving this dispute."]

Or were things even tougher? Did JZ and Babs make it clear in no uncertain terms that the price of Maroga's head was Bobby's own? You've heard of horse trading - this is known as head trading.

But if JZ and Babs wanted to retain Maroga - so much so that Godsell drove back to Joey's, flipped open his laptop, and tapped out his resignation - why has the board dumped Maroga? Did Godsell's unexpected resignation - he needed neither the boodle nor the indignity - scare the bejesus out of everyone? Did the folk in Pretoria realise that, if they left Maroga to carry on without Godsell carrying the can with him, Eskom was going to be in even worse diddley than it has been heretofore?

And what happened behind the scenes - in terms of the messy skirmish that obviously took place between those against Godsell and those against Maroga? Because, clearly, there must have been a war. As usual, of course, the usual "racist" stuff came up.

But what else can we expect? Though it pains me to say this, Bullfinch (aka Bullard) is correct. An accusation of "racism" is (if you'll pardon the phrase) the white noise that is the background to everything that happens in the beloved country these days. What we have to try to unravel is what was really going on.

Or maybe nothing special happened. Maybe Maroga resigned in a fit of pique; then changed his mind; the usual crew started blowing out white noise with the speed and skill that Amor Vittone is said to blow out air; JZ and Babs told Bobby to confer before ever doing anything; and now we have Babs clutching the moral high ground - "As minister, I refused to override the principles of corporate governance by imposing a person in the position of CEO" ... blah, blah.

Oh well, these are just some of the issues about which we do not know. But maybe we will some day in the far-distant future - when we stumble out of the white noise on to the plains of quietude and calm ... yeah, right.

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responses to this article

fit of pique, not peak Proofread before posting, maybe? by Green Gerkin on November 13 2009, 08:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ALLEN Ginsberg Unless I am very mistaken Allen had buckets of homosexuality. Anyway, Eskom shenanigans Beat Generation, right? ha ha. OK, sorry. by donovan on November 13 2009, 08:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

right on my brother great article! by Jake M on November 13 2009, 08:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Clarrification needed please J.G. "ANC Yoof League"? or "ANC Hoof League? Please Jeremy clear up this important matter before it is too late and .... well, ... jy viet mos!" by selcool on November 13 2009, 08:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A little more on topic The very fact of the impetuosity and subsequent poor show of ethics on failing to stand by his word (and then appealing to the rabble) is an easy case in point of why dearest Jacob Maroga is not suited to a position which no doubt demands a cool head . .more while navigating hot issues. . .less by donovan on November 13 2009, 08:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

And the goon show goes on .... Forget targeting Barbara Hogan. The REALLY frightening intellect belongs to one Vytjie Mentor. Heard her on the radio yesterday morning. Almost pranged my car. by Buba on November 13 2009, 08:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Journalese? Or just ignorance? "Maybe Maroga resigned in a fit of peak"? Really Jeremy, should it not have been a fit of pique? Or was Maroga perhaps peaky in ways unknown? Or maybe journos just aren't all that literate any more? by Oompah on November 13 2009, 08:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANCYL bandwagon Sounds like the ASA debacle, someone is lying through their teeth. by Molly on November 13 2009, 08:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

My theory Govt (JZ) tried to interfere but it appears as though the moral compass of the board was unwaivering in its decision that Maroga had resigned and they accepted it (this would have been minuted). The board itself couldn't make a credible u-turn. The whole . .more would have had to resign in which case the Govt would have looked like complete (not only the noraml half) pilics and have overidden governance (not that they care about the second part). . .less by Albie on November 13 2009, 08:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

past your peak? "Maroga resigned in a fit of peak" ?? "Fit of pique" ......... surely? ;-) by nuff ced on November 13 2009, 08:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

maybe, maybe, maybe.... maybe, maybe, maybe... by S.D on November 13 2009, 08:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The Show Must Go On Entertaining article Jeremy, what frightens me most is that even with Maroga gone, the next Goon to enter the Stage will more than likely be, equally as incompetent, hiding behind AA/EE/BEE, with his Christian Dior Suit, and us taxpayers bearing the brunt . .more of unrealistic and incapacatating price hikes...... . .less by Bonita on November 13 2009, 09:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

S A circus-------- Klap hulle Jeremy ---dalk word iemand betyds wakker!!!!! by loutjie on November 13 2009, 09:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

And now the experts crawl out from the woodwork! . by Compadre on November 13 2009, 09:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

fit of PIQUE and ALLEN ja ja guys, you are indeed correct. i could blame the politicsweb editor. but i am not maroga - so mea culpa. take away my bonus. and it is ALLEN not ALAN. I am going back to bed. cheers by jeremy gordin on November 13 2009, 09:19 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Contrition Heheh, if only our politicians would so quickly own up when they make stuff ups. Mind you, theirs are on a somewhat larger scale. Contrition the first step to forgiveness, something like that. It's the principle. Enjoy the kip Jeremy, write us another one . .more come Monday. . .less by donovan on November 13 2009, 09:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jeremy on eskom Jeremy is irreverent, fails to adhere to what passes as being politically correct, manages to offend lots of people via his writing ,he is acerbic, but lets face it in this south africa where if u say , there is still white people who are racist, u play . .more the race card , if u are coloured u are obviously racist, if u are white and dare to critique our government ,u are racist, if u are south african and dare to comment on the refugees who burden our already shitty health system , invade our neighbourhoods like locusts ,then u are xenophobic , in this south africa where u have to hold your tongue or be stereotyped ,jeremy is a breath of fresh air that i breathe at least once a week , he goes where i steer away ,he points out the absurd and ridicule it, and for daring to be brave,he will be tagged as sexist,racist and phobic ,he is just an intelligent human being ,who tells us to see the cow dung for what it is, i will try to follow in his foot steps a bit and claim my words by not using a pseudonym, i am lisa Mcbride and i enjoy jeremy's articles . .less by Lisa on November 13 2009, 09:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Yes, all the dirt will come out in due course Personally, I expect Zuma's hands to be very dirty in all of this and I dont think Hogan will come out of it with any credit. Government, in the form of Zuma, probably interfered at the bequest of their cronies and cadres, told Godsell to take a hike and . .more told Eskom board that Maroga was re-instated (finish and klaar?), then saw the massive backlash from the public and chickened out, threw Maroga to the wolves (no tears here) but expect a large golden handshake notwithstanding Makwana's assertions. It will probably be structured as a out of court settlement to avoid a long, contentious, and embarassing (for Zuma) court case. Or else Maroga will get "redeployed" elsewhere as compensation. Yep, lots more dirt could come out . .less by Al on November 13 2009, 10:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Erudite and Funny You're back to your best, Jeremy (spelling notwithstanding!)...hope we don't have to wait till Shabbes a fortnight for the next installment. You go, boy!!! by Good Stuff on November 13 2009, 10:43 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

well thank you Lisa M Clearly you are highly intelligent. by Jeremy Gordin on November 13 2009, 11:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

your last guess... Witty! I suspect that the truth could be found in your last paragraph, or is it the second last. Maroga & Godsell might have, after acrimonious board discussions over strategy, both decided...my way or i tender my resignation. At which point . .more the board decided to recuse them, but just before they leave, both had most probably said, if my strategy doesn't fly then i'm out. Maroga most probably because thinking that he has authority over strategy since Godsell is not the Exec Chairman. And Godsell probably thinking, well...i'm the one who's got to defend this thing...so if it is to fly, it has to take my wings. And then you have the usual suspects shouting out all sorts of racial drivel . .less by Joe on November 13 2009, 11:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

bad time This is a government mess up, shame for Maroga ( poor chap got only 10 million if not a little less in bonus ) he should have shut it run Eskom down which in my view is already on a highway to hell and taken a little more out of this parastatal. JZ played . .more a big role in what has happened, he should come clean but hey he's got another corupption case on hold, as for Hogan, she is just being politically correct , learning from the ANC master heads up top, and for the ANCYL , they need to be scolded and publically, the whole league, let the members put pressure on that IDIOT they call a leader, the same goes for BMF and there loud mouths, stop this now so it does not occur again in the future, and trust me other events like this are going to be the norm especially in the REIGN of the ANC. or until they get an honest leader (which is neva) . .less by Victor on November 13 2009, 12:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pique Maybe he did resign in a fit of peak - 311vac peak to peak - or for you elecrically uneducated - 220vac RMS ;-))) by Peak on November 13 2009, 12:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

MAROGGA AND EISHKOM I loved the humour and the article. Good for the soul on a Friday.!! I e mailed it to all my friends as well. Very well said Jeremy. by MARIE VAN GRAAN on November 13 2009, 12:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A lisa Mcbride u know if you must use sms spelling keep it to 140 characters by Piqued off on November 13 2009, 12:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Dear Jeremy. Thanks for lifting my depression. I Read Michael Waddacor's excellent but totally depressing FREE HAND column before I read yours and felt like slitting my wrists or jumping in front of a taxi or sumfing. Loved your article, I can just picture dear Mrs M waving her chubby . .more little index fingure at silly Jake, with her other hand firmly on her hip and a withering scowl on her face, now I can happily go and drown myself in a few good Gee 'nTeaze and prepare for the weekend. I'll read Michaels column again on Monday to sober up and be a S*** to everybody all of next week. Who says journalism is a dying art? It's like oxygen to the free thinker. Thanks Again . .less by Old Nick on November 13 2009, 15:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Basic lessons in writing an essay Rule no.1 Jerry, don't write while having a few "cold ones". It kind of impacts on the train of thought. Excellent point - but my goodness - you struggled to bring it over, didn't you? by James on November 13 2009, 15:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

No wonder he went back If you, my little pudding, ever - ever - want you-know-what again, you'll go right back there to that place and tell them that you were a bit over-hasty." by Gambu on November 13 2009, 16:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@James Ok, Jimmy, except that I was not aware of making any particular point. But since you seem to know what it was, maybe you can tell me .about mein kampf... Btw, not keen on beer. by Jeremy Gordin on November 13 2009, 16:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

How many words ! to much talking ! so little said ! by Oblix on November 13 2009, 17:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

zzzzz lame excuse for a late file. shouldn't have bothered since you said nothing. by malsped on November 13 2009, 17:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@James and Oblix You guys must be as thick as bricks, or maybe you belong to the Yoof League or the YCL; in which case it goes without saying. by Jeff on November 13 2009, 18:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Jeff what abt malsped - he or she seems pretty thick too - think they work for Eskom? by Jeremy Gordin on November 13 2009, 20:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Just wondering .... ... if Maroga needed *protecting* as the willing middleman between the massive development projects in the Eskom pipeline and Chancellor House?? by Saffer on November 14 2009, 01:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mrs Maroga's *pique* was my first guess too... ... but the one with the red face this time round is Minister "Party Line" Hogan. by M on November 14 2009, 08:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Dilligaf Damn you Dilligaf, People are people, just because a number people happened have their hands in the corruption jar does not allow you to say waht you said!!!!!!You are disgusting!!!!! The damn Nats (Apartheid gov) were white and behaved like SS men . .more and also lined their own pockets. Had the Broederbond, banned freedom of speech /press and forced their disgusting racist bull...... down our throats in the army.Were prepared to expend 5% of us if we disobeyed!!!! They are white but they NEVER EVER represented me and i'm white. There are millions of Black people who are not at the top who would be able to run State institutions as well as any of the politically unconnected. YOUR COMMENT SHOULD BE DELETED, WE ARE SOUTH AFRICANS AND A SURPRISING NUMBER OF US WILL PULL TOGETHER TO MAKE THE NATION WORK. . .less by didi on November 14 2009, 21:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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