- Cabinet has welcomed the steady improvement in Eskom’s financial and operational performance for the first six months ending September 2025.
- The power utility reported a profit after tax of 24.3 billion rand for the period, marking a 37 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
At a post Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the reporting period reflected consistent energy supply, with only four days of load shedding. Electricity supply reliability was recorded at 96 percent for the 2024 to 2025 financial year and has increased to 98 percent to date.
According to the Minister, the results highlight the success of Eskom’s recovery plan, which forms part of the Operation Vulindlela structural reforms programme. She attributed the performance to the capability of Eskom’s management and board, as well as the focused leadership of the Minister of Electricity and Energy.
Roadmap approved for Critical Minerals Strategy
Cabinet has also approved the implementation plan for South Africa’s Critical Minerals Strategy. The plan sets out a roadmap to unlock opportunities in the country’s mineral endowment as global demand rises for minerals used in digital technology, defence, healthcare, consumer electronics and electric vehicles.
The implementation plan rests on six key pillars. These include geoscience mapping and exploration, value addition and localisation, research and innovation, infrastructure and energy security, financial instruments, and regulatory harmonisation.
Ntshavheni said the Critical Minerals Strategy is expected to play a significant role in economic growth and job creation as South Africa positions itself within rapidly expanding global value chains.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
