Takudzwa Dhambu
STAFF WRITER
dhambut@dailynews.co.zw
ZESA Holdings (Zesa) executive chairperson Sydney Gata, 79, has died after a short illness.
The long-serving executive’s passing not only comes as the Mutapa Investment Fund (Mutapa)-owned company has started a process to re-bundle the power behemoth, but embarked on a number of key initiatives such as the USS350 million refurbishment of Hwange power station by Jindal Africa and where he was expected to play a critical role in driving those projects.
“It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we share the news of the untimely passing on of… Gata, a distinguished energy, infrastructure development specialist,”
Zesa said in a statement yesterday, adding he had died “at a local hospital on July 03”. “His leadership at Zesa transformed the organisation during some of its most challenging times, provide advanced energy solutions and infrastructure developments..,” it said.
On his part, Mutapa chief executive John Mangudya on Friday said: “We are saddened and shocked by the passing (and) he will be remembered for his passion of wanting to see the total electrification of the country.”
He leaves a legacy of hard-work and dedication to duty”. Described as a “dedicated servant who has left a legacy of unwavering commitment to Zimbabwe’s power sector”, Gata’s illustrious career with Zesa spanned four decades and in which he spearheaded several initiatives to grow, and diversify its product offering, including the initial unbundling in line with regional trends, launch of its innovative self-insurance Cell scheme and data firm Powertel Communications.
“He was the first black general manager of the Electricity Supply Commission 1981-85. He then served as CEO and board member of Zesa in the mid-1980s to early 1990s,” Zesa said. “During the period 1976-81… made an impact in research and teaching in the fields of mechanical and aeronautical engineering,” said the power utility.
A forthright executive, Gata had several stints — including his initial hiring as executive chairman from 2001-2006 and reappointment in the same capacity from November 2019 — at Zesa after endless clashes with several Mugabe-era ministers.
He is not only survived by his wife Angeline — the deputy Primary and Secondary Education minister — children and grandchildren, but he was an ex-banker and senior executive at the Trade, and Investment Bank (headed by the late Kombo Moyana).
In 1976, he lectured at the Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering in London, United Kingdom. He also lectured at the City University mechanical engineering and aeronautics department in London during the period between 1977, and 1980 before coming back to Zimbabwe to work at the University of Zimbabwe in the faculty of engineering from 1981-82.
Away from the lecture room, Gata served as a World Energy Council (WEC) and African Development Bank board member.
Information secretary Nick Mangwana has described Gata as a towering figure in the energy sector. “He had a distinguished career, with roles in academia, government, and international organisations like the WEC,” he said.
