Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has appointed Ria Govender as acting chairperson of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), from June 15 until the recruitment and appointment process for a permanent appointee is finalised.

Govender’s appointment follows the resignation of Thembani Bukula as part-time Regulator Member and chairperson of Nersa, effective June 15, owing to health reasons.

Govender became a part-time Regulator Member and deputy chairperson of Nersa on December 15, 2025.

She has more than 29 years of policy, legal and regulatory experience in the electricity industry.

Her roles have included senior government official, legal adviser, corporate counsel, senior transaction adviser, public-private partnership adviser and policy and institutional adviser.

Govender has also contributed to creating enabling environments for private sector investment in renewable energy in various sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania, as well as through the US Agency for International Development’s Power Africa initiative.

She has more than 14 years of experience in South Africa’s energy sector, holding several leadership positions. These include serving as executive manager in the Office of the Director-General at the former Department of Energy.

Govender also worked as an independent energy consultant and, in that capacity, served as legal adviser to the National Electricity Response Team project, which was initiated in response to the country’s electricity supply crisis that started in 2007/8.

She was also the founding legal and institutional executive at Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) Holdings, a position she held for five years.

Before joining EDI Holdings, Govender worked as a legal adviser at Nersa.

She holds a BA (Law) and LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of South Africa, postgraduate diplomas in human resources and project management, and an MSc in Energy Policy, with distinction, from the University of Sussex, in the UK.

“On behalf of the organisation, we congratulate Govender on her appointment. Her leadership as Nersa chairperson will support continuity and stability within the energy regulator.

“Nersa also extends its sincere appreciation to Bukula for his invaluable service, dedication and leadership. We wish him every success in his future endeavours and a full and speedy recovery,” says Nersa CEO Advocate Nomalanga Sithole.