By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Eskom group chief executive Andre De Ruyter has landed a new job at the private Ivy League research university Yale in New Haven, United States (US).
De Ruyter left Eskom with immediate effect in February 2023, following an explosive interview on ENCA where he accused the ANC of corruption and enrichment through Eskom.
On 28 February 2023, the ANC issued a letter of demand to De Ruyter and Eskom to issue a retraction and an apology. It did not happen.
In May, De Ruyter released a new book, Truth to Power: My Three Years Inside Eskom, in which he exposed further details about corruption and incompetence at the power utility.
Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana has denounced De Ruyter’s decision to break confidentiality when he wrote his new tell-all book, giving his insider’s view of alleged corruption at the power utility.
Eskom’s corporate governance teams were reviewing the alleged transgressions, Makwana said, and will take appropriate steps to ensure that the utility’s board acts accordingly.
The board will also be embarking on an independent investigation to test the veracity of the allegations, he said.
Makwana added, that the struggling parastatal was closing in on its decision on who to appoint as the new CEO that will take over from De Ruyter.
De Ruyter previously indicated that he had received a few interesting career opportunities, many related to green energy.
According to a City Press report, that De Ruyter has accepted a position at the prestigious private United States university, Yale.
He will be a senior guest lecturer, presenting a course on renewable energy and the green economy market.
Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) vision, which focuses on achieving “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, will be a core part of the course.
He will present the course at three of Yale’s institutions – School of Management, Jackson School of Global Affairs, and School of the Environment.
Founded in 1701, Yale is one of the oldest and richest institutions of higher education in the United States.
Yale University is affiliated with 65 Nobel laureates, five Fields Medalists, four Abel Prize laureates, and three Turing Award winners.
De Ruyter holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pretoria, a Bachelor of Civil Law certificate and Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of South Africa, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Nyenrode Business University.