The board of Eskom says it embraces preferential procurement rules and “all government policies aimed at transforming the economy”.

This after a weekend newspaper reported that Eskom board member Mteto Nyati suggested that some empowerment and localisation rules constrain the power utility.

Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana emphasised that the power places “a high premium on our role as a catalyst for transformation and empowerment”.

“Eskom continues to be the largest supporter of black owned suppliers who are positively contributing value to the production of electricity and we promote black industrialisation as a deliberate approach to supply chain management, localisation and industrialisation in our value chain,” Makwana said.

The power utility said it is committed to supporting youth and black women through its procurement processes.

“The Eskom board fully comprehends [empowerment] imperatives and is totally cognisant of the challenges many South Africans continue to face in terms of playing meaningful