The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of City Power has resigned, bringing to a close a decade-long tenure.

African Times is in possession of the resignation letter, in which outgoing CEO Tshifularo Mashava confirms that she will step down effective March 30 2026.

In a measured but reflective letter addressed to the board, Mashava said the decision followed “careful reflection and thorough consideration”, adding that she intends to pursue “personal and other professional interests”.

Her departure comes at a critical time for the power utility, which has been under sustained pressure over infrastructure failures, billing disputes, and ongoing electricity supply challenges across Johannesburg.

Mashava struck a tone of gratitude and restraint in her resignation, describing her 10-year journey as both fulfilling and demanding.

“This year marks 10 years since I officially joined City Power,” she wrote. “I write this letter with a humble sense of gratitude, fulfilment and a measure of sadness.”

She thanked the board for its “support, advice and confidence”, and acknowledged the role of the City of Johannesburg as shareholder.

“I am equally grateful to our shareholder… for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading this important institution,” she said.

Mashava also paid tribute to City Power staff, describing their work as often underappreciated despite “unbearable and persistent pressure from different quarters”.

Her tenure has been defined by attempts to stabilise the city’s fragile electricity network while navigating political scrutiny, financial constraints and public frustration over outages.

In her letter, Mashava highlighted what she sees as one of her administration’s key achievements — repositioning City Power into a broader energy-focused entity.

“We achieved a lot with so little, in a relatively short space of time,” she wrote. “I take particular pride… that together we were able to deliver on the commitments and priorities set out at the beginning of my tenure — in particular the transitioning to an energy entity.”

She emphasised that these gains were not hers alone, but the result of “collective excellence and shared purpose”.

While she did not explicitly reference the challenges faced during her leadership, City Power has in recent years, grappled with ageing infrastructure, rising demand, illegal connections, and repeated system failures that have left residents and businesses frustrated.

The CEO’s exit is likely to raise questions about leadership stability within the entity, particularly as the city continues to battle service delivery concerns.

Mashava, however, expressed confidence in the institution’s future.

“Despite the magnitude and the colossal stature of the institution, it has indeed been a privilege to serve,” she wrote. “I remain confident in the strength of the institution and the capability of its people to continue building on the solid foundation that has been laid.”

Her resignation now places the spotlight firmly on the board, which will need to manage the transition and appoint new leadership at a time when consistent electricity supply remains a top priority for residents.

It is unclear at this stage who will take over in an acting capacity or when a permanent replacement will be announced.

The timing of the resignation — effective at the end of March — suggests a planned transition period, potentially allowing for a structured handover.

City Power has yet to issue an official public statement on the matter.

Mashava’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the utility, with her decade-long leadership spanning periods of both reform efforts and operational strain.

As Johannesburg continues to confront deep-rooted energy challenges, the incoming leadership will inherit an institution under pressure — and a city demanding results.