A respected leader passes on after decades of public service
Dr. Sydney Zikuzo Gata has died at the age of 68. He passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2025, at a private hospital in Harare after a short illness.
ZESA announced his death in a statement to employees. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the untimely death of our Executive Chairman,” the notice said. Dr. Gata was surrounded by family, including his wife Angeline Gata, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
His passing marks the end of a long and impactful journey in Zimbabwe’s power sector.
The first Black general manager of ESC after independence
Sydney Gata made history in 1981 when he was appointed the first Black General Manager of the Electricity Supply Commission (ESC). He held this position until 1985.
At the time, Zimbabwe had just gained independence. Gata’s leadership came when the country was seeking to replace colonial-era systems with local control. His role helped open doors for other Black professionals in engineering and energy management.
This appointment was a major shift in how power and leadership were shared in the country.
A long leadership career with ZESA
After serving at ESC, Gata became CEO and board member of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. He returned in 2001 as ZESA’s Executive Chairman and held the post until 2006.
In 2019, he was reappointed Executive Chairman and served until his passing in 2025. During his time in leadership, he oversaw major changes in the power sector and helped shape the direction of Zimbabwe’s electricity systems.
Gata’s time at ZESA was marked by bold decisions and long-term planning.
Deep roots in engineering and global energy knowledge
Before entering the energy sector, Gata was an academic. Between 1976 and 1981, he lectured in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering in the United Kingdom at Chelsea College and City University in London.
When he returned to Zimbabwe, he lectured at the University of Zimbabwe for a year, sharing his knowledge with young engineers.
He later served on the board of the World Energy Council Commission and was Deputy Chair of its Studies Committee. He also worked with the African Development Bank and other international groups on energy matters.
His impact lives on in Zimbabwe’s power development
Throughout his career, Gata focused on improving power supply for all Zimbabweans. He pushed for rural electrification and supported upgrades to key plants like Kariba and Hwange.
His efforts brought power to many homes, schools, and clinics that had never been connected before. Industry leaders and colleagues have praised his vision and dedication.
He will be remembered not only for his titles but also for the change he brought to Zimbabwe’s energy future.
