Honourable Silas Zimu, Presidential Advisor on Energy, The Presidency, South Africa

Silas Mzingeli Zimu obtained his B. Eng. Honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1991. He also holds an Msc in Engineering Management. Silas has attended some of the highly recognized leadership and management programmes both nationally and internationally.

Mr. Zimu started his career in the electricity industry when he joined Eskom in 1992 where he worked as an engineer in the generation group. Amongst areas that he was involved in is the normalisation of Soweto. He was also appointed as a contract manager for key projects like Alusaf and Matimba-Bulawayo. While still at Eskom, he was later appointed as a Key Customer Relations Manager looking after the mining industry.

He then joined City Power as a General Manager - Planning and Technology and was thereafter promoted to Vice President, Customer Services. Because of the knowledge and passion he has for Engineering Operations, Silas was then appointed as a Vice President of Operations in December 2003 and served on Executive Management Committee, as well as a number of Board committees within the organization. Silas has extensive experience in both business and strategic management. He acted in the CEO position since February 2006, until being appointed Managing Director of City Power.

Mr. Zimu has held the position of CEO of Suzlon Wind Energy South Africa (Pty) Ltd since October 2011 and shared the vision for a greater tomorrow. He is currently serving as a Special Energy Advisor to the RSA President, appointed in June 2015.