Warda Albertyn
Owner
Décor’dent
Tel: +27 21 592 7133
Email: [email protected]
Warda Albertyn owns Décor’dent Living, a Cape Town-based company that specialises in home improvement and interior design. The company serves homeowners, property developers, estate agents and architectural industries and is one of the few black-owned enterprises in the competitive and cutting-edge Cape Town design sector. Albertyn matriculated from Harold Cressy Senior Secondary School and completed a few modules towards a BCom degree but dropped out because of financial challenges.
She worked at a television repair company where, because of her apparent entrepreneurial zeal, her employer helped her to acquire a Teljoy franchise. Décor’dent Living currently outsources the labour aspect of the business, which creates job opportunities for small and medium businesses, enabling them to appoint or employ previously disadvantaged citizens. The short-term goal of her company is to provide for all home decor and renovation requirements. These include window coverings, kitchen designs, flooring, painting, lighting, burglar bars and gates.
Wendy Appelbaum
Director
Liberty Investors
Trustee: Donald Gordon Foundation
Tel: +27 11 408 3200
www.donaldgordon.org.za
Wendy Appelbaum is a director of Liberty Investors, the previously listed holding company of the Liberty Group, and a trustee of the Tribune Trust, an investment holding trust. In addition, she is deputy chairperson of the Connection Group, chairperson of De Morgenzon Estate and a director of black economic empowerment financial services and mining company Sphere Holdings.
As a leading philanthropist, Appelbaum is a director of the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, a trustee of the Donald Gordon Foundation and the Children’s Haemophilia and Oncology Clinic. She is a trustee of the Redhill School Trust and the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa, a director of Business Arts South Africa, an advisory board member of Special Olympics (South Africa) and a member of Harvard University’s Women’s Leadership Board. Appelbaum is also a member of the International Women’s Forum and of the Global Philanthropists’ Circle.
Sue Birch
CEO
Wines of South Africa
Tel: + 27 21 883 3860
www.wosa.co.za
Sue Birch is CEO of Wines of South Africa, a Section 21 body mandated by the wine industry to promote South African wines in export markets. She has significantly increased exposure for local wines at trade and consumer events in the United Kingdom and European Union member countries, as well as in Canada, the United States and the Far East.
Birch was previously marketing manager of Capespan, responsible for international brand strategy, international advertising, promotion and packaging development. She is the 2005 winner of the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s Women in Wine Award. In 2005 she also received an award for Wine Personality of the Year from the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.
Philisiwe Buthelezi
Chief Executive
National Empowerment Fund
Tel: +27 11 731 9000
www.nefcorp.co.za
Philisiwe Buthelezi is the chief executive of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), the government agency capitalised with R2-billion that is meant to stimulate black business. With an impressive CV, Buthelezi, appointed in 2005, says she will bring direction to the NEF, which has floundered. In addition, it will be her mission to ensure the NEF works with the plethora of funding agencies set up to stimulate black business. Previously, Buthelezi worked at the department of trade and industry where she was in charge of the development of black economic empowerment laws. She also served as the department’s representative in Europe where she sought to direct investment to South Africa.
Buthelezi has an MBA from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, and an MSc in economics from the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She has worked for BNP in London and at Caltex Oil and Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank in South Africa before joining the government.
Cynthia Carroll
CEO
Anglo-American
Tel: +27 11 638 9111
www.angloamerican.co.uk
If ever there was an appointment to shatter the glass ceiling in South Africa’s economy, it was the announcement that Cynthia Carroll would be CEO of London-listed Anglo American. Carroll is the first-ever company outsider to reach its top ranks; she is the first woman to become CEO. Carroll came to Anglo American after 18 years at the helm of Alcan, the aluminium company. Her listed expertise includes: mergers and acquisitions; divestitures; joint ventures; research and technology and human resources among many other skills areas. Carroll has an MBA from Harvard University and earlier this year was also appointed a non-executive director of AngloGold Ashanti.
Jenna Clifford
Founder Member, Designer, Empowerer, Director
Jenna Clifford
Tel: +27 11 523 6600
www.jennaclifford.com
Jenna Clifford began in the jewellery industry 27 years ago and launched her company, Jenna Clifford (Pty) Limited, in 1992. The company has manufactured some of South Africa’s most prestigious jewellery and trophies. Clifford was involved in the creation of the Businesswomen’s Association and received the 1997 Rentmeester/Rapport award for Most Inspirational and Beautiful Woman of South Africa. She was an honoree in the 1998 International Who’s Who of Professional and Businesswomen, nominated for achievements and contributions to society.
Yolanda Cuba
CEO
Mvelaphanda Holdings
Tel: +27 11 290 4200
www.mvelagroup.co.za
Yolanda Cuba is CEO of both Mvelaphanda Holdings and Mvelaphanda Group, having joined the former’s corporate finance division in January 2003 to facilitate the sourcing, valuation and execution of transactions within the company. Cuba has worked for a wide range of companies, including Robertsons Foods and Fisher Hoffman, and has also been involved in a number of development companies where she has given assistance and advice on strategic investment solutions and structuring. Cuba also sits on the boards of Rebserve Cleaning Services, Abvest, Lifecare, TFMC and Royal Foods Sechaba. She holds a BCom in statistics from the University of Cape Town and a BCom honours in accounting from the University of Natal. Cuba is also director of several other companies including Life Healthcare and Absa and took up the position of CEO of Mvelaphanda Group on July 1 2007.
Salukazi Dakile-Hlongwane
Deputy Chairperson and Chief Executive
Nozala Investments
Tel: +27 11 463 5588
www.nozala.co.za
Salukazi Dakile-Hlongwane is the deputy chairperson and chief executive of Nozala Investments, a leading investment company. She was previously assistant general manager of specialised finance at BoE, and senior manager of the structured finance unit and senior project officer at the Lesotho National Development Corporation. She also held positions at the Development Bank of Southern Africa and at the African Development Bank (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire). Dakile-Hlongwane is a director of: Medi Clinic Corporation; FPT (Fresh Produce Terminal); Absa Provincial Advisory Board; MCC (Mutual Construction Company); MIH Holdings Limited (MultiChoice); Worldwide Capital; and Woodlands Dairy. She is also a trustee of the Chancellors House Trust and the Nozala Trust. She was, until recently, a trustee of the International Marketing Council, where she also served on the executive committee.
Gugu Pride Duda
Executive: Asset & Infrastructure Finance
Wipcapital
+27 11 715 3500
www.wiphold.com
Gugu Pride Duda is an executive of Wipcapital and manager of the asset and infrastructure finance division. Wipcapital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (Wiphold). Prior to joining Wipcapital, she was the chief financial officer of the internet and telephone banking division of First National Bank. Duda’s prior experience includes positions in finance, credit and risk at RMB as well as FirstRand Bank. Duda is a chartered accountant. She completed her articles at FirstRand Bank and her undergraduate studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, and obtained her BCompt (CTA) Hons at Unisa. She sits on the boards of several of Wiphold’s investee companies. She has recently been appointed as a non-executive director on the board of Adcorp Holdings Limited.
Tracy Dunley-Owen
Non-Executive Director
Women Investment Portfolio Holdings
Tel: +27 21 509 2200
www.wiphold.com
Tracy Dunley-Owen is a non-executive director of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings Limited, a director and trustee of more than 15 Old Mutual entities and a member elected trustee on the Old Mutual Staff Retirement Fund. Dunley-Owen has been at Old Mutual since 2001 and has held a wide variety of challenging and interesting roles involving originating transactions in OMSFIN, credit analysis, capital management and is currently managing the department responsible for Old Mutual South Africa’s external and internal financial reporting. Dunley-Owen qualified as a chartered accountant specialising in treasury services at KPMG before moving to Old Mutual. She also holds a CFA and a master’s in business science (finance).
Jade Jensen
Managing Director
Bang & Olufsen
Tel: +27 11 463 2410
www.beo-sa.co.za
Jade Jensen reintroduced Bang & Olufsen to South Africa by negotiating with B&O Head Office in Denmark to sell B&O audio and other products in South Africa. After leaving KPMG in 1991 as a chartered account, she started her own consultancy where she built up a strong relationship with B&O. Through her leadership, B&O has built up a strong national presence and developed into a leading and sought-after brand.
Joan Joffe
Founder Member
Nozala Investments
Tel: +27 82 990 0007
www.nozala.co.za
Joan Joffe has been in the IT and telecoms industry since 1960. After completing studies in mathematics and computer science at the University of the Witwatersrand and Stanford University, she worked for various companies including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Wells Fargo Bank and Standard Oil of California. In 1977, she launched Joffe Associates and sold the company 10 years later. Joffe joined Vodacom in 1994 and filled the roles of general manager: marketing, and group executive: corporate affairs and communications, and was chair of the Vodacom Foundation. She retired from Vodacom in 2003.
Joffe is a founding member of broad-based women’s empowerment group Nozala Investments. She serves on the boards of several companies, and is on the advisory board of the University of Pretoria’s engineering faculty. She is a former Businesswoman of the Year and a holder of a Wits University Lifetime Award for Entrepreneurship.
Koosum Kalyan
Business Development Adviser: Africa and exploration
Shell
Koosum Kalyan is one of South Africa’s most seasoned business people; in June 2006, she was appointed to the board of MTN as a non-executive director. She is based at Shell in the UK. Prior to joining Shell, she was a senior economist at the Chamber of Mines. Kalyan’s scenario-planning and facilitation skills have seen her act as an adviser to the World Economic Forum and other global scenario-planning exercises. She is a graduate of the University of Durban-Westville and hails from KwaZulu-Natal. She was centrally involved in the Commission for Africa, former British prime minister’s landmark development project and chaired its business contact group.
Wendy Luhabe
Entrepreneur
Tel: +27 11 482 4842
www.imc.org.za
Wendy Luhabe qualified in business commerce at the University of Lesotho. Her business experience was shaped by her two initial employment opportunities in the early 1980s in the cosmetics and automotive industries respectively. She became a non-executive director of the JSE-listed ICS board at the age of 36. She has been involved in two major initiatives that have revolutionised the involvement of women in South Africa’s economy. She pioneered the founding of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings in 1993 and the Women Private Equity Fund in 2003.
She has been chairperson of the Vodacom board and currently chairs the Industrial Development Corporation, International Marketing Council and Vendome. She is a director of the JSE and has business interests in Ogilvy, Resilience Company and Ralph Blackie and Associates. Luhabe is a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Trust and a member of the Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy. She is married to Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa and they have two sons and a grandson.
Donnée MacDougall
Managing Director
AVI Retail Beverage Business Unit
Tel: +27 11 707 7000
www.avi.co.za
Donnée MacDougall is the managing director of the retail beverage business unit of AVI, a branded consumer products group behind several well-known South African brands and businesses such as I&J, Five Roses, Ciro, Frisco, Willards, Real Juice, and Yardley. She joined National Brands, a wholly owned subsidiary of the AVI group, in 2000 as the category director for the coffee category before moving to the position as category director for the tea category. The total portfolio she manages has a turnover of about R1,2-billiion.
Since completing a BCom honours in business economics, she has gained extensive experience in consumer marketing. She spent three and a half years working for the Cap Gemini Group. MacDougall has had a significant influence on National Brands’s coffee business since she joined the company and her achievements include growing the coffee category profits by 56% in one year. She enjoys travelling, art, wine, food, music, interior decorating, gardening, movies and running with her dog.
Namane Magau
CEO
B&D Solutions
Tel: +27 11 468 2238
[email protected]
Namane Magau quit the SABC to start her own consultancy, B&D Solutions. She is also a director of Murray & Roberts and Santam. Apart from this active business portfolio, Magau sits on the board of recruitment specialist the Landelahni Group and the International Women’s Forum of South Africa, where she is chair the leadership committee. Magau holds a doctorate in education from Harvard University and has held a number of high-profile appointments as adviser to the government in the field of education.
Nana Magomola
Businesswoman and lawyer
Tel: +27 11 326 1111
www.thamaga.co.za
Nana Magomola is a lawyer and leading businesswoman with influence across a range of companies and organisations. She is a director of Thamaga Investment Holdings and chairs several companies including Bathabile Holdings, Healthcorp and New Integrated Credit Solutions. She has 25 years’ experience within the legal, pharmaceutical and utility industries. Magomola serves on the board of governors of Rhodes University and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. She is also a regulator of the Limpopo Gambling Board while serving as a director of that province’s parks board.
Previous board memberships include Transnet, Reebok and the Industrial Development Corporation. Magomola is a co-founder of: Women’s Development Banking, the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa and the International Women’s Forum, of which she is chairperson of the leadership committee. Her hobbies are travelling, reading, wildlife viewing and gardening.
Makole Maponya
Portfolio Manager
Old Mutual Investment Group South Africa
Tel: +27 21 509 9111
www.omigsa.com
Makole Maponya is a portfolio manager at Old Mutual Investment Group South Africa (OMIGSA). She manages the Infrastructure, Developmental & Environmental Assets Fund, a R1.8-billion open-ended fund targeted at investing in infrastructure and developmental assets, including developmental properties. Makole has been at OMIGSA since 2003. Prior to that, she was at Nations Capital where she was involved with privatisation mandates. Makole is a qualified chartered accountant. She obtained her training at Investec Bank, specialising in private equity. Makole currently serves on the boards of Matola Gas Company SARL, Rainprop (DTI building), Sethekgo (department of education building).
Debra Marsden
Executive
Women Investment Portfolio Holdings
Tel: +27 11 715 3500
Debra Marsden is Women Investment Portfolio Holdings’s (Wiphold) executive in charge of business transformation and corporate affairs. Prior to this, she was general manager of corporate affairs and transformation at Old Mutual where, among other things, she was responsible for developing and implementing a transformation plan for the company. In 2002/03 Marsden formed part of the 10-person negotiating team that developed the Financial Sector Charter. Other positions she has held include economic affairs director of the Consultative Business Movement, head of the National Economic Forum and deputy director of the National Economic Development and Labour Council.
Leigh Meinert
Managing Director
Tertiary School in Business Administration
Tel: +27 21 532 2750
www.tsiba.org.za
Leigh Meinert (28) is a co-founder and managing director of the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA), the newest entrant to South Africa’s higher education landscape. TSiBA offers emerging leaders an opportunity to study towards and innovative and enriched business degree that is focused on entrepreneurship and leadership. Full-tuition scholarships for TSiBA’s bachelor of business administration degree are funded by private sector corporate partners and the institution’s first graduates are due in 2008.
Totsie Memela-Khambule
Managing Director
Postbank: A Division of the Post Office Group
Tel: +27 12 401 7669
Totsie Memela-Khambule is managing director of Postbank, a division of the Post Office Group. She took up the position in January 2006. Memela-Khambule joined First Rand in 2001 and, prior to joining Postbank, held the position of CEO of customer services and retention for First National Bank’s home loans division. Memela-Khambule began her banking career with Nedcor in 1993 where she was their community liaison manager and was promoted to branch manager six months later.
In 1996, she was appointed regional manager for Peoples Bank. In 1998, she moved to the Land Bank where she was general manager of operations. In 2000, she was appointed acting managing director. Memela-Khambule holds a BA degree in social science from the University of Swaziland and a master’s of public administration from the University of Zimbabwe. Memela-Khambule has served on the boards of the Rural Housing Loan Fund, Teba Bank and Lekana Employee Benefit Solutions. She also serves on other boards, which include Memela Pratt & Associates, Melanani Investments, Kwayedza Properties and Imvuno Investments.
Louisa Mojela
Chief Executive Officer
Women Investment Portfolio Holdings
Tel: +27 21 509 2200
www.wiphold.com
Louisa Mojela is one of the founders and the group chief executive officer of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (Wiphold), a women-owned and managed investment and financial services company. Mojela was instrumental in the formation of both the Wiphold Investment Trust and Wiphold NGO Trusts, which have been established to entrench women’s participation in Wiphold. Mojela’s determination is to see the women of South Africa and Africa being empowered financially, economically and otherwise.
She has become an important role model for the up-and-coming young black women in South Africa. She actively and financially participates in the Students Sponsorship Programme and is an active member of the Mentorship Group, which aims to raise a new generation of dynamic business leaders. A Californian Star Group company honoured Mojela as one of the 40 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 2000. Mojela sits on the board of various companies. Her most valued time is spent relaxing with her granddaughter.
Dawn Mokhobo
Non-Executive Director
Nozala Investments
Tel: +27 11 463 5588
www.nozala.co.za
Dawn Mokhobo was appointed as the first black woman to the management board of Eskom. She is a director of Nozala Investments, Engen, VitalAire, Capacity Outsourcing and Massmart. She chairs Tsebo Outsourcing Group and Africa International Advisers, and is a member of the Executive Women’s Club. In 1993, Mokhobo received the South African Businesswoman of the Year Award and, in 1995, she served as the chairperson of the promotions committee for the South African Police Service.
Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane
CEO
Sentech
Tel: +27 11 691 7069
www.sentech.co.za
Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane holds a BA degree in political science, a master’s of science degree in radio and television from Syracuse University and a PhD in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin in the United States. She has extensive experience in the broadcasting, film and telecommunications sectors in the US and in South Africa. She was the co-chairperson of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and project manager of the Tertiary Education Programme Support.
Mokone-Matabane serves as a member of the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development, as well as on the Supervisory Board of the Cooperation Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa. She is also deputy chairperson of Unisa’s council, chairperson of the council of the Market Theatre and a member of the South African Council for Space Affairs. She received the BBQ Businesswoman of the Year award for 2004, received the ICT Leadership Award for 2006 and the ICT African Businesswoman of the Year Award for 2006. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sentech Limited.
Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Entrepreneur and budding philanthropist
Tel: +27 83 626 0110
www.leisureworx.com
This year, Precious Moloi-Motsepe turned a hobby into an enterprise. She became chairperson of Leisureworx when she took an equity stake in the fashion company. It could not have a more appropriate boss: Moloi-Motsepe has won numerous style awards and she graces the pages of most celebrity magazines. At Leisureworx, Moloi-Motsepe immediately set the cat among the fashionistas by launching the Audi Joburg Fashion Week to take on the rival big-sister show, the Sanlam Fashion Week.
Her company also owns the rights to Nokia Cape Town fashion week and to the MTN Durban fashion week. In addition, she runs the Motsepe family’s Motsepe Family Foundation; it made its first major bequeathment in June when it donated R750 000 to Unicef for a child survival programme. A medical doctor by training, she is also well-regarded as a women’s health specialist. Her husband is the billionaire Patrice Motsepe who is only fractionally less stylish than she is.
Chene Molotsi
Owner
Alu-Absoluut
Tel: +27 11 660 8045.
www.alu-absoluut.co.za
Chene Molotsi is the owner of Alu-Absoluut, which manufactures and installs a wide range of aluminium products. Molotsi, who works for Peoples Bank as a regional sales manager, has always had an entrepreneurial spirit.
She has owned several informal businesses at various times, which have created employment for a number of people. One such venture was a shoe retailing business where she sold designer women’s shoes to a select client base. She has also been involved in the distribution of gas stoves and pots. Molotsi holds a BCom degree from the University of Natal Durban, and a BCom (Honours) from Rand Afrikaans University. She funds her business from her salary.
Kgomotso Moroka
Advocate and businesswoman
Duma Nokwe Group
Tel: +27 11 282 3700
Advocate and businesswoman, Kgomotso Ditsebe Moroka is a veteran in both fields. In practice at the Johannesburg Bar since 1989, Moroka is also a director of the following companies: M-Net, Schindler’s Lifts and New Season ÂInvestment. Previously, she chaired M-Net’s Phuthuma Trust empowerment scheme and the black accounting firm Gobodo Forensic and Investigative Accounting.
Moroka sits on the Board of Edcon, the Standard Bank Group and the South African Breweries (SAB). With a commitment to and interest in education, Moroka is a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Project Literacy.
Manana Moroka
CEO
Proudly South African
Tel: +27 11 327 7778
www.proudlysa.co.za
Manana Moroka took up the position of CEO of Proudly South African from November 1 2005. She was previously the deputy director general of marketing at the department of trade and industry. Her responsibilities ranged from creating public awareness of the department’s brand and educating economic citizens about the products to services offered to the overall management and marketing of the department’s brand.
In addition, she was responsible for the uptake of the department’s products and services, as well as ensuring access to information for companies and citizens. Moroka has served on the Proudly South African board for the past two years and was a member of the audit committee.
Nano Mothibi
Founder and Managing Director
Dukari
Tel: +27 11 656 0569
Nano Mothibi is the founder and MD of Dukari, a black- and female-owned publicity and content management consultancy that specialises in the finance, ICT, mining, engineering and public sectors. Mothibi has a journalism background, having worked and freelanced for media publications such as the Star, African Eye News Service, City Press, Tribute magazine and Johnnic Publications as a social, business and ICT journalist.
During the same period she was briefly involved in broadcasting media, having initiated and produced a one-off documentary called Sabela for the SABC. She has a BA (geography, philosophy and psychology) degree from Wits University and after a short stint as a climatology intern at the South African Weather Bureau, Mothibi returned to Wits to complete her honours in media studies. She also worked as a public relations account executive at Leo Burnett International. Mothibi enjoys working with needy children and is involved in her local community’s youth initiatives.
Futhi Mtoba
Chairperson
Deloitte Southern Africa
Tel: +27 11 806 5000
www.deloitte.com
Futhi Mtoba is the chair of the board of Deloitte South Africa. She is a CA (SA), holding a Higher Diploma in Banking Law (Rand Afrikaans University); B Compt (Hons) (Unisa); BA (Econ) (Hons) (Unisa); BA (Econ) (University of Botswana and Swaziland). She also serves on the boards of high-profile financial services institutions. She is a participant on a number of government and quasi-government bodies. Her experience includes managing the audits of large corporate treasuries, local and international financial institutions, including the treasury of a large parastatal organisation.
She is also one of the four vice-presidents of Business Unity South Africa. Mtoba serves as director and chair of the Investment Committee of the Public Investment Corporation. She is an adjudicator to the Financial Services Charter, a member of the Nepad Business Foundation. She is a trustee of the WDB Trust, which is a socio-economic development programme focused on women. Mtoba is a member of the board of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative.
Shani Naidoo
Human Resources General Manager
Foschini Group
Tel: +27 11 938 1676
www.foschini.co.za
Shani Naidoo left her top post as resources manager at the Foschini Group three years ago to relocate to Johannesburg and take up the position of general manager of human resource operations at BMW. Today, she’s back at the retail-clothing giant where she started as a trainee. Only this time, she’s in the driving seat. As the youngest — and only black student — in her class of 24 at the University of Natal, Naidoo graduated cum laude with honours in social sciences and business and was offered two positions: one at Eskom’s Koeberg Power Station, the other with the Foschini Group.
Naidoo feels that the most important thing when one chooses a job is to ensure that your values and identity are reflected in the company you choose as you spend a lot of your time at work. Naidoo has an MA in industrial and organisational psychology from UCT. Soon after Naidoo joined, she spent three years completing her master’s at UCT, she is now a registered industrial and organisational psychologist.
Bongiwe Njobe
Corporate Affairs Director
The South African Breweries Limited
Tel: +27 11 881 8503
www.sabmiller.com
Bongiwe Njobe is the corporate affairs director of the South African Breweries Limited. She was previously the director general of the department of agriculture where she oversaw the implementation of agricultural development programmes. Njobe has an MSc in agriculture from the Vassil Kolarov University in Bulgaria. In a diverse career, she has managed farms in Zambia and also served at many academies and think tanks.
Hixonia Nyasulu
Executive Chairperson
Ayavuna Women’s Investments (Pty) Limited
Tel: +27 11 781 0113
www.mbendi.co.za
Hixonia Nyasulu is the executive chairperson of Ayavuna Women’s Investments (Pty) Limited. Until 2004, Nyasulu was the chief executive of a marketing and research company, which she founded in 1984. Nyasulu is currently a director of Anglo Platinum, Defy, the Tongaat-Hulett Group and chairperson of the Development Fund of the Development Bank of South Africa. Previously, she was a director of among others AECI Limited, Nedcor and Nedbank, McCarthy Group and Relyant Retail.
Nyasulu has a BA in social work and an honours degree in psychology. She plays a leading role in the consortium of black shareholders that will, if approved, take an equity interest in the proposed liquid fuels Uhambo joint venture between Sasol, Petronas and black economic empowerment groups. Nyasulu is also a non-executive director of the Sasol board and a promoter of Tshwarisano. In terms of a recent agreement, Tshwarisano acquired a 25% shareholding in Sasol’s liquid fuels business housed in Sasol Oil Limited.
Thandi Orleyn
Director
Peotona Group Holdings
Tel: +27 11 259 4139
Thandi Orleyn is director and shareholder of an investment company owned and managed by women. She has been a director of commercial law firm Routledge Modise Moss since 2002. She is also a mediator and arbitrator for the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and Takiso Dispute Settlement. She is an adjudicator for the financial sector charter and a member of the Competition Tribunal. She sits on the boards of the South African Reserve Bank, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Toyota SA, Impala Platinum Holdings, Cricket SA and the Landelahni Recruitment Group and is also a trustee of various charitable trusts. Orleyn was national director of the CCMA from 1997 to 2002 and national director of the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa from 1995 to 1996. She holds a BJuris (Fort Hare), BProc LLB (Unisa) and Hon-PHD (Richard Robert Wright Theological Seminars).
Anne Pratt
Director
Memela Pratt and Associates
Tel: +27 11 783 1852
www.memelaprattassociates.co.za
Anne Pratt is a director of Memela Pratt and Associates, part of a global executive search company. She has accumulated extensive experience in management selection for senior management positions, across a wide range of disciplines and companies in Africa. Another key focus is on BEE transformation and investments. She began her career at Lever Brothers, where she was in marketing and later joined McCann Erikson as client service director of the retail agency. Pratt has an MBA and participates regularly in leading business school panel discussions, guest lectures and at leading conferences.
She is a member of the Black Management Forum, the Businesswomen’s Association and the Institute of Directors. She has compiled and published research on Women on Boards. In 2002 she was nominated and selected as part of the top 10 finalists of the 2002 Business Woman of the Year Awards for Anne Pratt and Associates’ successful track record. Pratt won the 2003 Gauteng Regional Achiever awards and was nominated for the Top Women in Business and Government Awards in the entrepreneurial category, in 2004 and 2007.
Tryphosa Ramano
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer
Women Investment Portfolio Holdings
Tel: +27 11 715 3600
www.wiphold.com
Tryphosa Ramano has displayed exceptional leadership abilities in the management of multiple responsibilities and also demonstrated intense experience in directing the company strategy, including financial and strategic planning, corporate governance reform, industry analysis and corporate restructuring. Ramano is successful at breaking down and restructuring processes to improve results, efficiency and cost effectiveness. She has proven ability in motivating and working effectively with people from all walks of life. She has a strong ability to recruit, train and lead successful teams. Ramano started the Institute of Investment Excellence at Rand Merchant Bank Asset Management, which is still running.
Hunsa Ramchander
Owner
Evolution Logistics
Email: [email protected]
Hunsa Ramchander owns Evolution Logistics, a Durban-based company that supplies transport to the construction industry. She is completing her BCom through Unisa. Ramchander has worked for Concrete 2000 for the past eight years and was instrumental in securing funding for the company’s expansion. Ramchander manages all administrative functions, accounting, audit, as well as creditors and debtors.
Maria Ramos
Group Chief Executive
Transnet
Tel: +27 11 308 2309
www.transnet.co.za
Maria Ramos is the group chief executive of Transnet, the transport and logistics parastatal. The appointment in January 2004 of the efficient and intellectually agile former director general of the National Treasury has strengthened the corporation, just ahead of the government’s plans to invest heavily in the country’s infrastructure. Ramos has a firm financial background, having obtained an Institute of Bankers’ Diploma (CAIB) in 1983. She followed this with a BCom from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1986, a BCom honours in economics (also from Wits) in 1987 and an MSc (economics) from the University of London in 1992.
During her tenure as director general of the department of finance (now the national treasury), Ramos assisted Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel in turning the treasury into one of the most effective state departments. She was named Business Leader of the Year in the Sunday Times Business Times Top 100 Companies Awards in June 2006.
Mamphela Ramphele
Executive Chairperson
Circle Capital Ventures
Tel: +27 21 425 2231
www.circlecapital.co.za
Mamphela Ramphele has added another hat to the many she wears so ably: she is now the executive chairperson of Circle Capital Ventures, a venture capital black economic empowerment company with offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg. She runs the company with Hlumelo Biko. A medical doctor by training, she is also an accomplished academic and was the first black woman in South Africa to be appointed as the University of Cape Town’s vice-chancellor in 1996. In 2000, she joined the World Bank in Washington as MD responsible for human development. She has served as the trustee to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Trust.
In 1974, Ramphele was charged under the Suppression of Communism Act for being in possession of banned literature, but escaped a conviction. She was subsequently banished and was active in healthcare as well as the general struggle against apartheid. She obtained her PhD in social anthropology at the University of Cape Town. She has been awarded the Membership of Four Award.
Kathryn Sakalis
Marketing Director
Foschini, Donna-Claire, Fashion Express and Luella
Tel: +27 11 938 1676
www.foschini.co.za
Over the past five years, Foschini has been transformed into a vital and major fashion force. A big part of this transformation is attributed to the new-look marketing campaign. Foschini’s marketing director, Kathryn Sakalis has spearheaded this campaign to drive the retailer’s turnaround. Sakalis has played a key role in bringing about Foschini’s success over the past few years. She manages all aspects of the marketing function — including advertising, public relations, visual merchandising, research and database marketing. Sakalis began her career as a brand manager at Unilever after graduating from the University of Cape Town with a bachelor of business science (Hon) degree.
She then worked as the advertising manager at Sterns and marketing manager at Markhams before being appointed marketing director — a proud achievement for a woman of 35. She currently directs the marketing of four retail brands (Foschini, Donna-Claire, Fashion Express and Luella) as well as giving strategic input for the Foschini Group at a corporate level.
Carol Scott
Executive Chairperson: Car Rental Leasing and Tourism
Imperial Holdings
Tel: +27 11 663 4000
www.imperial.co.za
After working for Avis and Rennies, Scott joined the Imperial Group to start a car rental company in 1978. Imperial Car Rental was launched in 1979. In 1992, Imperial Holdings formed the new car rental leasing and tourism division, and Scott was appointed as chief executive. Currently, Scott is the non-executive director of Imperial Holdings, non-executive chairperson of Car Rental and Tourism and non-executive chairperson of Tourvest.
Sonja Sebotsa
Executive Director
WDB Investment Holdings
Tel: +27 11 341 9900
www.wdbih.co.za
Sonja Sebotsa is an executive director of WDB Investment Holdings, a women-focused empowerment company owned by the Women’s Development Bank Trust. The trust was established in 1991 to run programmes dedicated to the economic and social upliftment of women, particularly poor and rural women, in South Africa. Since its inception in 1997, WDB Investment Holdings had disbursed approximately R35-million to the trust.
Prior to joining WDB, Sebotsa was a vice-president at Deutsche Bank for six years, spending time in the bank’s Johannesburg, London and Tokyo offices. Her core competencies are in mergers and acquisitions and the structuring of empowerment and employee participation in transactions. Sebotsa completed her undergraduate studies in London at the London School of Economics and her postgraduate studies in Canada and the United States. She sits on the boards of several JSE companies.
Gloria Serobe
Founder and Executive Director: Wiphold
CEO: Wipcapital
Tel: +27 11 715 3521
www.wiphold.com
Gloria Serobe is South Africa’s über-dealmaker. Wiphold, the broad-based empowerment company of which she is the executive director, fronted three key deals. The first was Wiphold’s purchase of a share of the stake in Telkom, sold by the Public Investment Corporation to the Elephant Consortium, of which Wiphold was a key stakeholder. The second was the purchase of a stake in Old Mutual, the insurance giant. In October 2005, Wiphold purchased a controlling stake in Futuregrowth to create the largest black-owned asset management company in South Africa. Serobe is now South Africa’s leading businesswoman and possibly its most fun-loving too. She has a reputation not only as a hard bargaining partner on mahogany row, but also as a party animal with a great love for champagne. Serobe is chairperson of the Presidential Working Group for Women and a former executive director of finance at Transnet.
Tania Slabbert
CEO
WDB Investment Holdings
Tel: +27 11 341 9900
www.wdbih.co.za
For the past six years, Tania Slabbert has been the CEO of WDB Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is the investment arm and wholly owned subsidiary of the WDB Trust, started in 1991 to provide small loans to enable rural women to support their micro and survivalist businesses. In 2005 the company concluded partnerships with the FirstRand Group and with Discovery Holdings. The proceeds from these investments are repatriated to the trust for disbursement on not-for-profit programmes benefiting women, particularly poor and rural women, in South Africa.
Prior to joining WDB Investment Holdings, Slabbert spent four years in the diplomatic corps, working in the political division of the South African embassy in Paris, France. Her other directorships include BP (South Africa) and alternate director on the Bidvest Group Limited board, which is JSE-listed.
Fathima Vawda
Managing Director
Legae Capital
Tel: +27 11 551 3628
Fatima Vawda graduated with distinction from Wits University in 1994 where she received several awards. Between 1995 and 1997 Vawda lectured in applied mathematics in the department of computational and applied mathematics at Wits. Between 1997 and 1999 Vawda joined Standard Corporate & Merchant Bank as an interest rate derivatives trader. Between 2000 and 2003 Vawda worked for Peregrine Securities as a research/sales trader focusing on hedge fund trading strategies. Vawda founded Legae Capital in 2003, the first-black owned and women-managed fund of hedge funds in South Africa. Since inception in 2003, Legae Capital has grown from humble beginnings to what is now one of South Africa’s leading hedge fund multi-managers. In 2006 Vawda was awarded the Financial Services Pioneer Award by the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals.
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