Trailblazer - Priscillah Mabelane, Chairperson of the NTCSA

Steering National Reform Through Energy Leadership

By Jessie Taylor

Priscillah Mabelane stands at the crossroads of transformation in South Africa’s energy sector. Her appointment in January 2024 as Chairperson of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) placed her at the forefront of a structural shift in the country’s electricity landscape. As a seasoned corporate leader and chartered accountant, her journey reflects both professional excellence and public-sector trailblazing.

Hailing from a rural village called Mabocha near Groblersdal in Limpopo, Ms Mabelane was an exceptional mathematics student - a foundation that later paved her way into accounting. She earned her BCom Honours in Accounting from the University of Limpopo and furthered her studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She became a chartered accountant and began a distinguished career at Ernst & Young, then moved into key finance roles at the Airports Company of South Africa and Eskom. She later ascended to CFO of BP Southern Africa in 2011 and, in 2017, made history as the first black woman to serve as CEO of a major multinational oil and gas firm in South Africa.

In 2020 she joined Sasol as Executive Vice President of Energy Business, advancing its vision of a Just Energy Transition and positioning the company for global leadership in green hydrogen.

Navigating The Future of Electricity Transmission

The NTCSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom, formally operational from July 2024. Established through the unbundling of Eskom’s vertically integrated structure into separate entities - generation, transmission, and distribution - NTCSA was granted the critical role of owning and operating the national transmission grid. This includes managing over 374 transmission lines, 500 three-phase transformers, and nearly 170 substations with a capacity of 159,384 MVA. NTCSA holds transmission, trading, and import/export licences from NERSA and functions as the Market Operator and System Operator— laying the foundations for a more competitive electricity market.

As chairperson, Ms Mabelane’s leadership steers this fledgling entity through the complexities of market reform. The NTCSA has already taken its first major step as the electricity “buyer” by launching a procurement plan for 750 MW of grid reserve capacity to support system stability. It also leads preparations for the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM), including internal capacity building and educational programmes for market participants.

Ms Mabelane leads a distinguished board of diverse experts, from leading economists and digital transformation experts to academic leaders and governance specialists. Her ability to forge consensus among high-calibre professionals is highly valued. Upon her appointment, it was noted that the board’s composition brings critical credibility to Eskom’s transformation journey.

With her strong career foundation in both finance and energy, she brings a governance-first, stakeholder-driven approach. Her role is not merely ceremonial: it is central to defining the NTCSA’s organisational culture, regulatory compliance, and long-term strategy. Her dual experience in private-sector leadership and public stewardship equips her to guide NTCSA through a crucial preparatory phase ahead of full market liberalisation.

Championing Reform, Efficiency, and Inclusion

Under Mabelane’s guidance, NTCSA is being shaped into an efficient, transparent agent of electricity reform.

Key initiatives underway include:

• Grid Expansion: Coordinating infrastructure enhancements to support increased capacity and renewable energy integration.

• Transparent Markets: Overseeing the launch of SAWEM to bring transparency

• Code and Tariff Implementation: Leading regulatory consultations and code development for market entry.

• Capacity Development: Running SAWEM training programmes (SAWEM School) to prepare traders, academics, and practitioners for market operations.

Her leadership style is inclusive, data-driven, and focused on enabling structural change with accountability.

Ms Mabelane’s journey to being one of South Africa’s most influential energy leaders is a powerful story of transformation and female empowerment. Her example demonstrates how women can occupy and thrive in leadership roles traditionally held by men—setting an inspiring precedent for young women pursuing STEM, finance, and

Ms Mabelane continues to leverage her influence beyond the boardroom. Under her oversight, NTCSA is actively building internal capacities for market operations - creating internal systems to function as Transmission System Operator

Working closely with Eskom and the Department of Public Enterprises, she ensures NTCSA remains aligned with broader economic and energy reform policies. As the NTCSA begins procurement actions for essential grid reserves, her leadership guides pragmatic implementation within regulatory parameters - a role critical to stabilising South Africa’s energy system in the short term, while laying the groundwork for long-term transformation.

Source: News24 | Sowetan LIVE. | Wits Business School | NTCSA | GO15 | International Trade Administration | Engineering News