Simphiwe Thokozani Zuma
Alberton
Summary
Experienced Engineering Business Management graduate with over 30 years in strategic and operational roles within Eskom and Engen. Expertise includes project management, equipment maintenance, risk management, and ISO compliance. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop performance metrics, and implement effective business strategies.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Middle Manager: Business Enablement, Generation Division, Engineering Department
Eskom
Johannesburg
02.2020 - Current
- Managed generation engineering combined assurance activities.
- Conducted and oversaw implementation of engineering assurance assessment outcomes to enhance operational reliability.
- Planned and managed engineering assurance assessments to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
- Coordinated generation incident investigation closeout committee activities to facilitate effective resolution and learning.
Middle Manager: Asset Enhancement, Risk and Quality Management, Technology Division, Engineering Department
Eskom
01.2010 - 01.2020
- Executed implementation of ISO 9001, ISO 31000 and 55000 to achieve certification and compliance standards
- Directed High Performance Utility Model processes for Engineering management to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and 55000
- Planning and Implementation of ISO Internal Assessment and External Audits
- Represented Eskom’s Technology Division in ISO 9000 and 55000 compliance meetings
- Coordinated planning and reporting activities for Technology Division Engineering department to align with strategic objectives
- Delivered technical support to Eskom Line Divisions for project execution
Middle Manager: Information and Operational Support: Transmission Asset Management
Eskom
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Management of International Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Portfolio Performance and Risk Management
- Oversaw operational management of strategic spares to ensure availability for critical projects.
- Led strategic initiatives to improve overall project alignment and efficiency.
- Interfaced with key portfolio stakeholders to gather actionable insights for decision-making.
- Provided advisory support to shareholder representatives and directors of Transmission & Distribution International Companies to enhance strategic alignment.
- Reported on project performance to inform stakeholders and guide future initiatives.
- Updating / maintenance of asset register
- Validation of asset data
- Specifying IM functional user requirements for IM support systems
Senior Consultant Performance Measurements: Corporate Technical Audit
Eskom
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Directed operational sustainability index and operational health dashboard to monitor key performance indicators
- Oversaw operational performance measurement to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
- Managing Operational Performance Benchmarking
- Coordinated appraisal of operational business plans to evaluate target achievement and inform decision-making
- Managing Incentive Scheme Targets Adjudication
- Presented operational reports to senior executives
- Megawatt Park Sandton
System Configuration and Hardware Support Advisor
Eskom Transmission
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Management of Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and SCADA availability.
- Testing and commissioning of SCADA components of integrated substation control.
- Executed commissioning process for systems and facilitated hand-over to operations team for seamless transition.
- Established contingency plans to mitigate system risks and failures.
- Defining, developing and analysing of project critical success factors
- Formulating project proposal for approval and consolidate scope of work
- Developed business cases that integrated various business aspects to support decision-making.
- Project reporting and presentations to respective approval bodies
- Assisting in tender evaluation and approval process
- Simmerpan, Germiston
Senior Technician Telecontrol
Eskom Distribution
01.1994 - 01.1999
- Managed SCADA systems, overseeing installation, commissioning, system administration, performance monitoring, modifications, and expansions.
- Management of Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and SCADA availability.
- Planned, scheduled, coordinated, and controlled preventative and breakdown maintenance for SCADA systems.
- Testing and commissioning the SCADA components of integrated substation control.
- Developed contingency plans addressing system risks and failures.
- Training and developing trainee technicians and engineers.
- Oversaw staff scheduling and performance evaluations.
- Mkhondeni, Pietermaritzburg
Instrumentation Technician
Engen Refinery
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Performed instrumentation maintenance and commissioning to uphold system performance
- Maintained and commissioned programmable controllers and distributed control systems to ensure operational reliability
- Oversaw operations in Durban to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards
Education
MSc Engineering Business Management - Engineering Management
University of Warwick
01-2005
Middle Management Development Program - Management
Henly Business School
01-2013
Innovation Management Development Program - Management
Davinci Institute of Techology
Johannesburg, GP01-2008
B Tech Mangement - Management
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
Johannesburg, GP01-2001
Specialist Project Management Program - Project Managment
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
01-1999
Advance Business Program - Management
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
01-1998
National Higher Diploma Electrical Engineering (L/C) - Engineering
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
01-1996
National Diploma Electrical Engineering (L/C) - Engineering
Mangostuthu University of Technology (Technikon Mangosuthu)
01-1992
Grade 12 - Matric
Edendale Technical College
Pietermaritzburg, KZN01-1988
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Analytic Thinking
- Strategic Planning
- Report Writing
- Contract Management
- Change Management
- Performance Management
- Implementation Management
- Training
- Crisis Management
- Business Strategy
- Staff Development
- Communication Skills
- In depth knowledge of Project Management
- Computer Literate
- Customer Service
- Staff Management
- Time Management
- Negotiation
- Troubleshooting
- Interpersonal Skills
- Advanced Supervisory skills
- Stress management
- Leadership skills
- Understanding of the Electricity Utility business
- General management skills
- Networking skills
- Facilitating and coordinating
Accomplishments
- Successfully implemented an Integrated Risk Management System for Eskom Corporate Division
- Successfully developed and implemented a Balanced Scorecard for Eskom Corporate Division
- Successfully developed and implemented a Technical Target Setting Manual or Guideline
- Successfully developed and implemented a Performance Reporting Framework and target alignment guideline
- Successfully Managed Transmission Asset Management Project
- Successfully Managed Back to Basic Operating, Maintenance and Outages Project
- Successfully implementing and maintaining ISO 9001 for Technology Division and Gx Engineering
- Successfully managed Power Plant Operator Training Program
- Engineering Assurance Assessments
- Incident Investigations
Coursework
- Conduct Facilitation
- Conduct Outcome Based Assessment
- Conduct Outcome Based Moderation
- Technology Leadership Program
- Root Cause Analysis
- Risk management, University of Johannesburg
- Practical Statistics
- Ethics and Corporate Governance
- Executive Program: Integrating Strategy Business and Reporting, Wits Business School
- Executive Program: Internal Consulting Skills Program, Wits Business School
- 5 day Financial MBA
- Transmission Planning
- Financial Modelling
- ISO 9001
- Auditing
- ISO 55000
- ISO 31000
- Systems Engineering
- Systems Thinking
- Enterprise Risk Management
Custom Section
2023-11-01
Languages
English
Advanced
C1
Isuzulu
Advanced
C1
Personal Information
Citizenship: South African
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Middle Manager: Business Enablement, Generation Division, Engineering Department
Eskom
02.2020 - Current
Middle Manager: Asset Enhancement, Risk and Quality Management, Technology Division, Engineering Department
Eskom
01.2010 - 01.2020
Middle Manager: Information and Operational Support: Transmission Asset Management
Eskom
01.2007 - 01.2010
Senior Consultant Performance Measurements: Corporate Technical Audit
Eskom
01.2002 - 01.2006
System Configuration and Hardware Support Advisor
Eskom Transmission
01.2000 - 01.2002
Senior Technician Telecontrol
Eskom Distribution
01.1994 - 01.1999
Instrumentation Technician
Engen Refinery
01.1992 - 01.1994
MSc Engineering Business Management - Engineering Management
University of Warwick
Middle Management Development Program - Management
Henly Business School
Innovation Management Development Program - Management
Davinci Institute of Techology
B Tech Mangement - Management
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
Specialist Project Management Program - Project Managment
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
Advance Business Program - Management
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
National Higher Diploma Electrical Engineering (L/C) - Engineering
Durban University of Technology (Technikon Natal)
National Diploma Electrical Engineering (L/C) - Engineering
Mangostuthu University of Technology (Technikon Mangosuthu)
Grade 12 - Matric
Edendale Technical College