Dr Ben Ngubane
Photo by: Creamer Media
State-owned power utility Eskom has conveyed its “heartfelt” condolences on the death of former chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane, who succumbed to Covid-19-related illness on the morning of July 12.
Ngubane joined the Eskom board of directors as a nonexecutive director on December 11, 2014, and was appointed interim chairperson on March 30, 2015. He was later appointed as chairperson but resigned from the organisation on June 12, 2017.
Eskom chairperson Professor Malegapuru Makgoba says Ngubane will be remembered as an avid scholar, whose contribution to the enhancement of the relationship and the cooperation in science and technology between Japan and South Africa earned him the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government in 2010.
“The Order of the Rising Sun is classified as an international award and is awarded to those who have made distinguished contributions to Japan. I had the privilege to work with him as the vice-chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he was also a member of the council of the university,” says Makgoba.
Prior to joining Eskom, Ngubane served as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, and was also South Africa’s ambassador to Japan. He was also a chairperson at the Land Bank and served on the board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, besides other roles.
“May his family, friends and associates be comforted and find strength during this difficult period,” Eskom states.