By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced the names of the new Eskom board members, indicating that all appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and relevant security clearances.
Ntshavheni briefed the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.
The list of appointees included members of the previous Eskom board, with the following individuals named by Ntshavheni: Dr Busisiwe Vilakazi, Lwazi Goqwana, Clive Le Roux, Dr Andrew Barendse, Dr Dimakatso Matshoga, Dr Kgaogelo Chiloane, Sharmila Govind, Dr Vuyo Peach, Dr Tsakani Mthombeni, Bajabulile Tshabalala, and Tshokolo Nchocho.
The board will continue to be chaired by Mteto Nyati, whose term has not expired because his appointment was made a year after the September 2022 appointment of the rest of the previous board members.
The appointments follow the recent confirmation that Eskom returned to a R16-billion profit in 2024/25 on the back of a taxpayer-funded debt-relief package, tariff increases, a more stable coal power station performance and a reduction of loadshedding.
IRP 2025
Cabinet has approved the new Integrated Resource Plan for electricity, which is being referred to as ‘IRP 2025’.
Ntshavheni indicated that the plan outlined the mix of generation technologies required to balance supply and demand, while also considering environmental impacts and the cost of electricity.
“The final policy presented to Cabinet represents a R2.23-trillion investment that will define South Africa’s energy mix for the future, “she said, without providing further details.
However, she indicated that Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa would provide a briefing on the IRP 2025 on Sunday, October 19.
In addition, the full IRP 2025 would be published in the Government Gazette.
US HIV Funding
Ntshavheni said, Cabinet has welcomed six-months of HIV/Aids funding under the PEPFAR Bridge Plan (PBP).
“The Trump administration has now listened and approved funding to the tune of $115 million between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026,” Ntshavheni said, adding that cabinet welcomed the six-month approval as a positive step toward restoring confidence and continuity in the country’s HIV/Aids programme.
“The PBP is meant to ensure uninterrupted HIV service delivery in South Africa by supporting HIV/Aids service continuity and prioritising country-specific needs and life-saving impact,” she said.
The bridge plan is a transitional funding phase to keep HIV services operational until full programme renewal is finalised. It allows for the continuation of critical, life-saving HIV programmes while the broader long-term agreement is being renegotiated.
“Cabinet expressed its appreciation to the government of the United States of America on its commitment to supporting and sustaining progress in the fight against HIV/ Aids,” she said.
Ntshavheni also said at the briefing that cabinet was updated on the proposed rollout of HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, scheduled for release in March or April 2026.
“The initial rollout will focus on 23 high-incident districts across six provinces, targeting approximately 360 high-performing public clinics within these areas. The rollout will further bolster government’s fight against HIV and Aids and our goal to reduce new HIV infections to below 0.1% by 2032,” she said.
Lenacapavir has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention (pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP) in adults and adolescents.