Story by John Nhandara
ZESA Holdings Executive Chairperson Dr Sydney Gata has died.
He was 79.
According to a statement from ZESA Stakeholders Relations Department, Dr Gata died Thursday night at a local hospital after a short illness.
A distinguished energy, power, and infrastructure development specialist, Dr Gata is credited for dedicating his life to advancing energy solutions and infrastructure development in the country.
He was the first black General Manager of the Electricity Supply Commission (ESC) from 1981 to 1985.
He later served as Chief Executive Officer and board member of ZESA from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s.
He was first appointed ZESA Executive Chairperson from 2001 to 2006 and was re-appointed to the same position in November 2019.
Dr Gata also served as a Board member of the World Energy Council Commission (WEC) for a three-year period between 1992 and 1994.
He also served as Deputy Chairperson of the commission’s Studies Committee.
During his career, Dr Gata held advisory and board roles at the World Energy Council, African Development Bank and Integrated Energy Systems Limited (UK), among others.
He is survived by his wife, Honourable Angeline Gata, who is also Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, children and grandchildren.
