Sengiphile Simelane
Sengiphile Simelane has worked in the energy sector for over 20 years. He has extensive experience managing projects aimed at addressing development challenges in low‑ and middle‑income countries within the SADC region. His technical and operational expertise covers electricity generation, transmission and distribution, network maintenance, business case development, energy policy, climate change adaptation, distributed renewable energy systems, nuclear power, national and sub‑national energy planning, strategy development, and leadership.
He previously led the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), one of the country’s largest state‑owned enterprises. During his tenure, he mobilised the first grid‑connected solar PV project to strengthen Eswatini’s security of supply through renewable energy sources. Through the national rural electrification programme, he played a significant role in expanding electricity access across the country.
Simelane spent more than 10 years at Eskom, where he began as an Engineer‑in‑Training and progressed to Chief Engineer for the nuclear programme. His additional experience includes roles at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR), the Total Facilities Management Company (TFMC), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), where he served as Programme Manager for the Energy Autonomous Campus Programme.
He also provided strategic leadership to Maloma Colliery, a coal mine in Eswatini, where—serving as CEO—he successfully implemented a turnaround strategy that restored the mine’s profitability.
Simelane holds an MSc and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town, completed in 2002 and 2000 respectively. He also holds a Certificate in Global Management from INSEAD and is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer. He is currently pursuing an MBA at the Wits Business School.
