Member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance Ghaleb Cachalia said in a statement that the resignation of Eskom chair Jabu Mabuza presented the power utility with the opportunity to constitute a board that change action the reforms Eskom needs to recover.
Mabuza's resignation came on the same day that President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that he was looking to make changes to the Eskom board.
Mabuza resigned, citing Eskom's failure to avoid loadshedding until 13 January, as Eskom management promised the president late last year.
While the African National Congress welcomed Mabuza's resignation, parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters, the Congress of The People and the Congress of South African Trade Unions called for Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan to follow suit.
In his statement, Cachalia said the DA was willing and able to assist in the generation of a list of individuals who could potentially fulfill the key roles he said needed to be dispensed.
"In parallel, the executive team needs to be bolstered from competent existing, but often hitherto side-lined employees. The time for cadre deployment is over. Competent people abound locally and internationally," said Cachalia.
Cachalia said the new incoming chairperson should have experience in the design and implementation of multiple new business initiatives in the global infrastructure sector, including electricity generation.
"Experience in the area of negotiation and relationship management with industry regulators including Public Utilities Commissions, Independent Transmission Grid Operators and the National Energy Regulators would be crucially important, as well as an unimpeachable record in sound and ethical governance," Cachalia said.
He said Eskom as an entity was archaic in its design and could not continue operating in its current format. He said urgent change in its structure was required and failing to do so would set the board up to fail.