South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has warmly received the Cabinet’s decision to reappoint Ditebogo Kgomo as its Chief Executive Officer, a move seen as pivotal for reinforcing the organisation’s leadership and advancing its mission to protect people, property, and the environment from nuclear risks. According to Engineering News, the announcement underscores a commitment to continuity and expertise at a time when South Africa’s nuclear sector faces growing scrutiny amid global energy transitions and domestic ambitions for expanded nuclear capacity.
Kgomo’s reappointment, effective as of October 2025, comes as the NNR navigates complex responsibilities, including overseeing the safe operation of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and regulating radioactive materials across medical, industrial, and research applications. Business Day reported that the NNR Board, led by chairperson Protas Phili, expressed confidence in Kgomo’s ability to enhance the regulator’s strategic direction. Her leadership is expected to strengthen governance frameworks, ensuring the NNR upholds stringent safety and radiation standards in line with national laws like the National Nuclear Regulator Act of 1999 and international commitments under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
During her prior tenure, Kgomo has been credited with driving operational reforms, including modernising regulatory processes and fostering greater transparency with stakeholders. As noted by Creamer Media, her focus on stakeholder engagement will be crucial as South Africa explores nuclear expansion, with government plans to procure 2,500MW of new nuclear capacity by 2030, as outlined in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. This ambition, coupled with public concerns over nuclear safety following global incidents like Fukushima, places the NNR under intense pressure to maintain public trust. Kgomo’s leadership is anticipated to prioritise robust oversight of existing facilities while preparing for future projects, such as small modular reactors, which Mail & Guardian suggests are gaining traction in policy discussions.
The NNR’s mandate extends beyond power generation to regulating over 200 entities using radioactive sources, from hospitals employing radiotherapy to mining operations handling naturally occurring radioactive materials. IOL highlighted that Kgomo’s reappointment aligns with efforts to bolster compliance, particularly as South Africa strengthens its nuclear security framework under IAEA conventions. Her role will involve navigating regulatory challenges, such as ensuring Koeberg’s ageing reactors—set to operate beyond their original 2024 end-of-life date—meet safety benchmarks following recent upgrades, as detailed in Cape Times reports on Eskom’s life-extension programme.
Kgomo’s return also signals a push for inclusivity and capacity-building in a historically technical and male-dominated field. With a background in nuclear physics and regulatory policy, she has championed initiatives to upskill local talent, including partnerships with universities to train nuclear safety inspectors, per SAnews. This aligns with the NNR’s goal of fostering a safety-first culture while addressing South Africa’s skills shortage in STEM disciplines, where only 13 per cent of graduates hold such qualifications, according to the 2024 Higher Education Sector Report.
As global demand for low-carbon energy intensifies, South Africa’s nuclear strategy remains a balancing act between energy security and environmental stewardship. The NNR, under Kgomo’s stewardship, is poised to play a central role in ensuring that nuclear activities adhere to the highest standards, mitigating risks while supporting the nation’s energy goals. BusinessLive noted that her leadership will also focus on public education to counter misinformation about nuclear energy, a critical step given that 62 per cent of South Africans express safety concerns, per a 2025 Afrobarometer survey. With Kgomo at the helm, the NNR aims to reinforce its reputation as a guardian of safety and a driver of regulatory excellence in a pivotal era for the country’s nuclear future.