The purpose of this dissertation is to identify the best alternative method of load shifting on clear water pumping systems in the mining industry. This can be done through a comparison analysis between manual and automated Demand Side Management (DSM) projects. The study holds benefits for Eskom and any client wishing to participate in the program. Eskom, by choosing the best method, will ensure sustainable load shifting while the client benefits financially through lower electricity costs. In order to perform this study, research was conducted on the requirements for additional electricity supply in South Africa. Research showed that there is an urgent requirement for additional electricity supply to ensure continued economical growth. DSM was identified as one of the most favourable methods that could be implemented to address the problem. A reason for this is DSM projects are economically viable and can be implemented in a relatively short time. The initiative would also decrease the need for increasing electrical generation capacity. During the research study important information regarding the computation process for load shifting and cost saving performance was gathered. Research was also conducted on the effect of DSM on labour and maintenance cost reduction, as well as economical engineering methods that can be used for alternative selection. The difference in performance between automated and manual systems was compared. The results showed that a 40% improvement of automated systems over manual systems were attainable and sustainable. This will realise a total saving of approximately 45% in electricity costs for the client. Savings in labour and maintenance costs are shown to be achievable through the automation of pumping systems. These saving results were used in the Engineering Economic alternative selection methods where applicable. Economic calculations confirmed that automated projects are the most viable control method. From the comparison study, it is shown that automated controlled systems are more advantageous than manually controlled systems. It will therefore be in the best interest of the client to automate a manually controlled pumping system, as it will result in additional load shifting and cost saving. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Poor employee performance is one of employer’s most common challenges. The study aims to explore the effectiveness of a Performance Enhancement Programme (PEP) used within an electricity supply company and identifying the contributing factors for managers and supervisors not utilizing the programme. The research method consists of two parts, a literary review and an empirical study. The empirical study was done by means of a survey conducted on a sample of 210 Eskom supervisors and managers of the North Western Region of Eskom. The measuring instrument consisted of a structured questionnaire, developed by the researcher. The results revealed that supervisors and managers are using PEP and that they see it as a good tool to manage poor performance. Respondents indicated very clearly that they need training to be able to address poor performance. The findings concerning the effectiveness of the PEP were inconclusive. The small sample size was a limitation to the study. The questionnaire proved to be lacking in determining the effectiveness of the Performance Enhancement Programme. The sample only included supervisors and managers in the North Western Region of Eskom. Further research needs to be conducted with a larger sample including employees on all levels. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2009. / A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Thesis (M.B.A. (Rhodes Investec Business School)) - Rhodes University, 2007. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration.

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / Electricity is a crucial key component in every day life influencing the economy, safety; health, productivity and comfort just to name a few. The benefits and importance of electricity can be easily taken for granted by the consumer. Towards the end of 2007, South Africa suffered numerous power outages and that lead to the implementation of load shedding by Eskom, the electricity utility in South Africa, in order to manage the shortage of electricity. Electricity utilities constantly make decisions that affect the cost, reliability and quality of their services. Therefore engineering designs and maintenance strategies should be updated frequently. The benefits of these updates to the system would have a significant performance improvement in regards to reliability and the quality of the electricity. The outline of asset management is therefore to focus on the business assets so that the organisation could serve the customers effectively. As a result, the focus for the research is to develop a life cycle management plan for one of the main assets utilised in the distribution network namely power transformers. The research would include a study of power transformers and customs that could be used to improve the reliability, logistics, safety and the capital investments of the network. Power transformers are static equipment, and failure rate is very low compared to other assets found in substations. As a result of their sizes, transformers requires more time and special arrangements should a failure occur. A risk and condition analysis was conducted on transformers and the results and conclusions were discussed.

M.Com. (Business Management) / In February 1990 the State President of the Republic of South Africa unbanned the political organisations that were previously banned. This set the scene for full and free elections. It also brought new role players to the fore. Parastatal institutions, including Eskom, now faced the problem of having to adapt to the new environment. or face the possibility of serious intervention from a new Government. During 1990 Nedcor and Old Mutual formed a team of experts, including one specialist from Eskom, to seek alternative paths that South Africa may embark on in an attempt to foster an environment that would enhance the possibility of a successful transition to a democratic South Africa. The team produced a scenario, which became known as the "change of gears" scenario. One of the cornerstones of this scenario is a kick-start of the economy, inter alia through supplying with electricity those citizens who do not yet have access to electricity. With a view to this the Nedcor/Old Mutual scenario suggests an electrification rate of one million houses per annum. This figure was criticised because of the negative effect it would have on the balance ofpayments. The Nedcor/Old Mutual scenario was presented to many parties, including the Cabinet and the ANC Executive. Although criticism was expressed against this scenario, it served a meaningful purpose in that it was probably one of the impetuses for the ANC's national meeting on electrification and the creation of other scenarios, such as that of Van der Berg. as well as other studies such as this dissertation. This dissertation, comprises an environmental scan of the needs and wants of the parties affected by electricity and electrification. These parties were identified as: Eskom; the local authorities; the people who currently do not have access to electricity; the central government; the unbanned political parties; and the consumers ofelectricity. It has been ascertained that South Africa, in the form of Eskom, has an excess power generating capacity of approximately 25 percent; that 65 percent of the population does not have access to electricity; and that the price of electricity is low as compared to that ofthe rest ofthe world. It has also been established that in South Africa the percentage ofhouseholds (ii) electrified is approximately twice as high as that of any other country on the sub-continent. From this it was concluded that the issue of electrification is a political one, nevertheless an opportunity to improve the economy. The views of the interest groups were studied, with particular emphasis on the views expressed at the ANC's first national meeting on electrification. The views of the parties were reduced to a list of sixteen requirements/expectations. These were divided into two groups, these on which there are a high degree of consensus and those on which agreement would have to be obtained. The latter included the pricing issue for prepaid meter customers versus the other small power users; the effect of poor load distribution on the price paid by black local authorities; the gross underutilisation ofmanpower in the industry, due to the fragmented structures; the redistribution of wealth; strong Government intervention; and the question of the level ofprofits in the industry. From this follows the recommendation that the electricity supply industry be onsolidated under the Eskom structure and that the issue around electrification be depoliticised.It is also recommended that a stable rate of electrification of approximately 250 000 houses per annum be maintained.

M.B.A. / Eskom, South Africa's electricity utility, is the electricity supplier for South Africa. It has 20 power stations with a nominal capacity of 39 154 megawatts. Eskom is among the top five electricity utilities in the world in terms of size and sales and strives to remain one of the lowest-cost producers of electricity in the world. Eskom supplies 98% of the country's electricity requirements, which amounts to more than half of the electricity generated on the African continent. Eskom supports the development of a Southern African transmission grod to encourage cooperation and accelerate economic growth in the region. Eskom support employment equity and encourages employees to develop to their full potential through training. Eskom sees itself as a respected corporate citizen and is working towards environmental sustainability and socio-economic improvement (Eskom report, 1997). The growth of Internet technologies (and within Eskom the Intranet) has been phenomenal. On 23 July 1998, after extensive consultation and compilation, an Eskom Internet / Intranet strategy was approved. The strategy defines the way in which Eskom will employ this technology to support their business, to ensure synergy in organisational efforts. This chapter gives an overview of the strategy (Eskom Report, 1997). The strategy positions Eskom to be able to derive significant business benefit. from the technology, and ensures we will not be "left behind" by our competitors and customers, but ensures that our use of the technology and the resulting costs can be properly managed. It accommodates the different cultures in the business groups, from progressive through conservative, in terms of the deployment of the technology ...

M.Phil. / The problem that exists in the developing areas of the Northern Cape area of Eskom (and also in all other developing areas in South Africa), is to make the correct decisions in terms of electrification, marketing and sales of electricity and electrical appliances when electrifying these areas. This study investigates this problem. The results from field work before and after electrification and recommendations form the main part of the study. The main methods followed for this study were as follows: Previous pre-electrification studies over a period of roughly six years in 82 developing areas were aggregated into 33 tables with maximums, minimums and averages calculated, including compiling 52 graphs. This process took the best part of one year. This gives an in-depth combined view of energy - and socioeconomic aspects particular to the Northern Cape. A needs analysis was also done amongst role players inside and outside Eskom, inter alia the management of Eskom, municipalities, Rand Afrikaans University, electrical contractors and district councils. The most important needs were investigated during field work done for this study in 1994. Data processing in dBase and Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis in Statgraphics was done, and the findings were taken up in four internal before/after publications during 1995 and 1996 and finally, in this study. It provides a clearer insight into electrification -, socio economic and health aspects in the developing areas of Northern Cape before and after electrification. Electrification in developing areas in Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe is uneconomical and in many cases has just about come to a standstill. Electrification in Namibia and Botswana is progressing slowly, at a cautious economic pace. Amongst the most important findings (in another 29 tables and another 58 graphs) for the Northern Cape area of Eskom are: The number of prepaid customers in the developing areas grew from less than 100 in 1989 to more than 38 000 in 1996, an increase of more than 20 000%. At this stage these customers of Eskom consume 4.148 GWh of electricity p.m., the equivalent of about 4 148 big households, each consuming 1 000 kWh (units) of electricity. This translates to only 109.16 kWh (Eskom ±70 kWh nationally)per customer p.m., which is not even nearly economical to Eskom. It must be remembered that it took 20 years in Ireland for electrification programmes to become economically viable. The target of Eskom in South Africa vary from 350 kWh to 572 kWh p.m., the latter which can only be achieved by "second phase" electricity consumption, i.e. by using heavy appliances such as geysers as well. When the developing areas have been fully electrified, total electricity demand in South Africa could increase by 7.4%, which could cause the building of another 1.26 big power stations. After electrification, there was a statistically significant reduction in the monthly average spending on wood and coal in the developing areas of Northern Cape. The electrical appliances mostly in use (after electrification) are irons, kettles and TV's. After electrification there was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of the maximum average "marketing potential" of appliances. The electrical appliances that most residents still want to buy after electrification, are washing machines, fridges and geysers. After electrification, only 68.63% of kettles are electrical types (on average). Nearly all electrical appliances are used during the peak hours of Eskom. The maximum amount that residents are prepared to spend on electricity, is R75.89 p.m., compared to R53.64 p.m. before electrification. The recalculated total average spending on energy (excluding petrol and diesel) is R91.72 per month before electrification and R121.21 p.m. after electrification. The average level of education is between standard 5 and 6 compared to between standard 3 and 4 before electrification (this is also statistically significant). The average income of households is R943.89 p.m.,compared to R507.59 p.m. before electrification. The average number of people per household is the following (pre-electrification figures in brackets): men 1.05 (0.96), women 1.21 (1.17) and children 3.26 (2.98). The total number of people per household is 5.51 (5.11). Most residents are very satisfied with health services in their areas. The biggest group (on average 95.30%) in the electrified developing areas of Northern Cape make use of modern medicine. The next biggest group (on average 4.7%) make use of modern medicine and traditional healers.

Magister Legum - LLM / The common law duties have been preserved by the partial codification of the duties of directors in terms of the Companies Act of 2008 (‘2008 Act’). One such duty is the duty to disclose personal financial interest in terms of s 75 of the 2008 Act. The need for directors to disclose personal financial interest has become more necessary than ever before in South African companies, particularly State-Owned Companies (‘SOCs’), due to their role in the South African economy. The injury caused by the breach of this duty is not only to the company, but more harm is caused to the economy and the beneficiaries who are the recipients of services rendered by SOCs. There has been a plethora of media reports of poor corporate governance in SOCs which is attributed to conflict of interest due to failure of directors to disclose their personal financial interests in proposed transactions or approved agreements.

While state-owned enterprises play an instrumental role in economic development, they are a significant fiscal risk to the state. This occurs through state-guaranteed loans that have more lax credit monitoring, and soft budget constraints, where stateowned enterprises can increase their debt levels without fear of liquidation or bankruptcy. This study empirically investigated the relationship between Eskom’s financial performance and its own debt and government debt, using the utility’s financial statements and government debt data from 1985 to 2017. The study used two models, namely, the Vector Autoregression (VAR) Model and the Error Correction Model (ECM) to analyse the data. In terms of the VAR, according to the impulse response functions, a one standard deviation shock to the debt-to-GDP ratio has a minimal impact on the electricity price, Eskom’s revenue and Eskom debt. Therefore, an innovation to the debt-toGDP ratio explains a large proportion of itself, as one standard deviation shock to the electricity price has a positive response from Eskom’s revenue and its debt. Similarly, a one standard deviation shock to Eskom’s revenue has a positive response from the electricity price and Eskom’s debt, and a one standard deviation shock to Eskom’s debt has a positive response from the electricity price and Eskom’s revenue. The forecast error variance decomposition analysis shows that up to 9,17% of the forecast error variance of the debt-to-GDP ratio is explained by the electricity price. Government debt relative to GDP explains 32,9% of the forecast error variance in the electricity price. The electricity price explains 29,51% of the forecast error variance in Eskom’s revenue. The forecast error variance for Eskom debt is explained by government debt/GDP which is up to 30,34%. The ECM shows that a long run relationship exists between Eskom’s debt relative to government debt, Eskom’s revenue relative to the electricity price and Eskom’s staff numbers. The study shows that Eskom’s increase in revenue is largely attributed to tariff hikes, stateguaranteed loans and equity injections, rather than increases in sales. A large proportion of government debt is comprised of Eskom debt. The proposed avenue as a way forward is partial privatisation or fiscal consolidation. / Economics