The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and trade union Solidarity on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of Lazarus Zim as chief executive officer of global resources group Anglo American’s South African operations with effect from February 1.
NUM general secretary Gwede Mantashe said that the union had been arguing for a long time that black managers needed to get operational exposure and the appointment of Zim was welcomed.
“To appoint a black person to run Anglo American in South Africa is a major step forward. But we are saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” Mantashe said.
Mantashe added that the union hoped that Zim would use the authority that goes with his position to accelerate transformation in the group.
The mainly white union Solidarity also welcomed Zim’s appointment by wishing him all the best and saying that it would give him its support.
“Zim has shown himself to be a good businessman and was appointed on merit, but one of his biggest challenges will be dealing with government,” Solidarity
spokesperson Dirk Hermanm said.
Hermann stated that the union hoped that Zim would be objective and not be used by the government.
Anglo also announced that Godfrey Gomwe, presently chief strategy officer of Anglo American South Africa, had been appointed chief operating officer of Anglo American South Africa.
Zim was previously deputy CEO of Anglo’s South African operations.
Tony Trahar, chief executive of the Anglo group, will remain chairperson of Anglo American South Africa.
Lazarus will also chair the transformation committee, whose primary role is to provide increased focus on the transformation of Anglo American’s South African businesses and to ensure the strategic alignment of country issues and the appropriate positioning of Anglo American
Zim holds a number of other important directorships including AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo American Platinum, Kumba Resources and Telkom. – I-Net Bridge