Members of Business Leadership SA were meeting Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Friday to make proposals regarding the energy crisis in South Africa.

“We will benefit a great deal from the discussion with Business Leadership SA. They have a number of ideas and proposals,” Ramaphosa told reporters before the meeting.

The organisation had requested the meeting with him and his Eskom advisory panel.

“They’re advising me as deputy president who is leading the effort in the war room,” he said.

Advisory panel members attending the meeting included Anthon Eberhard, Dolly Mokgatle, Derick Elbrecht, and Bobby Godsell.

War room daily manager Shaun Phillips was also present.

Others attending included Deputy Energy Minister Thembi Majola, Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, and Deputy Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Andries Nel.

Ramaphosa said they were planning to hold a “very thorough conversation” throughout the day.

On Thursday, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded Eskom’s long-term credit rating to BB+ following the suspension of four of its senior officials.

Last week, Eskom chief executive Tshediso Matona, finance director Tsholofelo Molefe, group capital executive Dan Morokane, and commercial and technology executive Matshela Koko were asked to step aside as the power utility embarked on a fact-finding inquiry.

In recent months Eskom has battled to keep the lights on due to the collapse of one of its coal storage silos, diesel shortages, and maintenance issues. SAPA