Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, Deputy Echo Editor
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has mourned ZESA Holdings executive chairman, Dr Sydney Gata, following his death on Friday, saying he leaves behind a rich and iconic legacy of architectural excellence in the energy sector.
Dr Gata, who was husband to Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Angeline Gata, died at 79 after a short illness.
In a statement on Friday evening, President Mnangagwa said he was deeply saddened to hear about Dr Gata’s death, a man he described as a committed figure who dedicated his life to providing energy solutions and infrastructure development for the nation.
“He was a devoted and eminent cutting-edge engineer and educationist who made his mark both in theory and practice in Zimbabwe and beyond in a career that spanned decades in academia, engineering and public service,” said President Mnangagwa.
Chronicling Dr Gata’s career, the President said the late ZESA executive began his career as a lecturer at the Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering in London (United Kingdom), where he made a huge impact in the fields of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering.
Dr Gata also lectured at the City University Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics in London before coming back home to lecture at the University of Zimbabwe’s Faculty of Engineering.
“He was appointed the first black general manager of the Electricity Supply Company, and at the end of his five-year term, he was elevated to the post of chief executive officer and board member of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority. “During this period, he also sat on the board of the Central Africa Power Corporation (CAPCO),” said President Mnangagwa.
He said some of Dr Gata’s accomplishments include: Hwange Power Station Phase 1 and 2; the Main Transmission System and Regional Interconnectors; Zimbabwe’s National and Regional Power Control System; Urban and Rural Electrification Master Plan; and restructuring the energy sector under the End User Infrastructure Development Programme that rolled out 300 irrigation projects countrywide.
Dr Gata, said President Mnangagwa, would later spearhead the unbundling of the power utility into several subsidiaries, including: ZPC, ZETDC, ZEDC, ZESA Enterprises and PowerTel.
“Dr Gata led the projects that rehabilitated Kariba Hydropower Station and Hwange Units 7 and 8 that added over 900MW to the national grid. He leaves behind a rich and iconic legacy of architectural excellence in the energy sector,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Dr Gata’s high profile saw him being appointed to several important international energy organisations, including the World Energy Council (WEC), where he became a regional coordinator of the WEC Sub-Saharan African Region, eventually becoming the Deputy Chairman of the Special Committee on Energy Finance for Developing Countries and the Studies Committee.
“He played an advisory and consultative role to the African Development Bank and Integrated Energy Systems Ltd (UK) on energy issues.
“At home, he served as the Board Chairman of the Rural Electrification Board,” said the President.
He conveyed his condolences to the Gata family, adding that they may find comfort in knowing that the works of their father will forever be engraved in the chronicles of the history of our nation.
“On behalf of the nation, the revolutionary party ZANU PF, Government, my family and myself, I wish to express deepest condolences to the Gata family, most especially to Mai Gata and the children during this period of profound grief,” said President Mnangagwa.
“May they all be consoled and find comfort in knowing that the works of their father will forever be engraved in the chronicles of the history of our nation.
“Future generations will always be reminded of this great Engineer through the great works he did for the nation.”
