Eskom CEO’s R12.2 million payday

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane received total remuneration of R12.18 million for the 2026 financial year, following the utility’s strong financial results. 

This was revealed in Eskom’s 2026 annual report, which showed a doubling of profit to R30.35 billion as the utility’s turnaround gained traction. 

Eskom’s profit surge was largely driven by improved operational performance, with only 13 days of load-shedding in the 2026 financial year. 

This improved performance led to a R10.6 billion reduction in Eskom’s diesel spending, significantly improving profitability. 

Eskom chairman Mteto Nyati has been quick to direct praise to Marokane and the management team for this improved performance. 

Nyati has repeatedly said that Marokane’s work has flown under the radar, with the Eskom CEO being relatively media-shy.

“We only see load-shedding as the public, but there are many other dimensions of this turnaround, including trying to address municipal debt and improve the culture at Eskom,” Nyati said. 

Marokane stepped into the country’s toughest job in 2024, taking the CEO job after a period of immense instability. 

Prior to Marokane, Eskom had 15 CEOs in the 17 years from 2007 to 2024. This is in stark contrast to the utility’s historically stable leadership, with only three CEOs serving from 1985 to 2007. 

Marokane’s predecessor, Andre de Ruyter, fell victim to the nature of the task. De Ruyter described the role as bruising, highly pressured, and extremely complex. 

When Marokane took the top job, Eskom experienced record levels of load-shedding and received a government bailout to survive. 

“Dan has in-depth knowledge of the Eskom environment. He leads from the front. He will hit the ground running. That is what Eskom and South Africa need right now,” Nyati said.

Eskom’s board appears to have been proven right in appointing Marokane as CEO, with the utility significantly improving its operational performance and substantially reducing load-shedding. 

Marokane has been rewarded for his work, earning a total remuneration of R12.18 million for the 2026 financial year. This is a 3.8% increase from his 2025 package. 

Not all of this is cash that lands in Marokane’s bank account. The CEO receives a guaranteed salary of R9.5 million. This includes medical aid and pension fund contributions. 

Marokane also received a short-term bonus of R2.5 million. This is still subject to approval from the Electricity Minister and is linked to the CEO’s key performance indicators. 

Other payments totalled R142,000. This includes allowances for security, cell phones, operating vehicles, and professional subscriptions. 

Marokane did not receive a long-term bonus for the year, but still holds two active allocations under Eskom’s long-term incentive scheme. 

These represent 18,000,000 in performance awards and are based on Marokane achieving his key performance indicators. 

If met, Marokane is expected to receive a payout of R11.4 million, split over 31 August 2027 and 31 August 2028. 

Marokane has an active housing loan through the Eskom Finance Company. As of 31 March 2026, the outstanding balance on this loan was R7,432,000. 

CEO Dan Marokane’s 2026 Remuneration Breakdown