SA’s renewable energy sector is mourning the untimely death on Friday of Ntombifuthi Ntuli, CEO of the SA Wind Energy Association (Sawea).
Fondly known as Ntombi, the 41-year-old Ntuli steered the wind power sector in her position as Sawea CEO since her appointment in September 2019.
“Ntombifuthi’s leadership was defined by her charismatic yet gentle nature, resilience and determination to successfully steer the industry towards playing a central role in SA’s energy transition, while being a uniting force,” Sawea said in a statement.
Ntuli’s passing comes at a critical time for renewable energy in SA. The government has begun to implement reforms aimed at opening up the country’s energy market long dominated by Eskom’s coal-fired power.
Ntuli held various positions in the energy and related sectors. Between 2002 and 2007 she was the environmental officer responsible for energy and climate change at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. She went on to lead policy development as director of renewable energy industries at the department of trade & industry. Before joining Sawea, Ntuli was the energy industry research group leader at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
“She has built strong bridges throughout the energy sector, founded on her sound logic and ability to see the bigger picture,” Sawea said. “Her lobbying efforts for the country’s transition to cleaner power were underpinned by supportive government policy and smooth procurement, which will help to ensure the sector’s exponential growth for years to come.”
Niveshen Govender, COO for the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association, described Ntuli as a “bold and brilliant leader”. She had played an instrumental role in SA’s energy transition where her knowledge, experience and passion proved critical in driving the sector forward, he said.
“Her commitment to delivering jobs, industrialisation and ensuring the broad economic impact of the renewable energy industry will be her legacy and we will continue her work to drive for a just transition that uplifts all South Africans.”
The department of mineral resources & energy expressed profound shock and sadness over Ntuli’s passing.
In a statement, the department said it and Sawea had lost a visionary leader “on whose shoulders we had vested the hope that she would continue to grow her contribution to the sector, as she worked towards the curbing of global warming through the promotion of renewable energy programmes, and wind energy in particular”.
Ntuli is survived by two young children and an extended family.
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