Black-owned investment company Shanduka broke its silence on Friday over the appointment of Bruce Campbell as executive chairperson at Alexander Forbes.
”We will continue to work with [CEO] Peter Moyo and his management team and believe that the appointment of Bruce Campbell will not divert him from his role … in growing the business and driving transformation,” said spokesperson Maureen Mphatsoe.
Avoiding any direct comment on Campbell’s appointment last week, Shanduka said it has ”full confidence” in Moyo. It praised him for the ”sterling job” he has done in turning the company around, bringing in black people at a senior level and showing good financial results.
The Black Management Forum (BMF) on Wednesday condemned Campbell’s being appointed to oversee a ”competent black CEO”.
”If indeed South Africa has a chronic skills shortage, why would a Unisa, Wits [University of the Witwatersrand] and Harvard product with many years of experience as deputy MD of Old Mutual need a baby-sitter in the form of a self-confessed, hands-on executive chairman? Is this not overkill?
”Surely Mr Campbell can ply his trade elsewhere and rather be non-executive at Alexander Forbes,” argued BMF president Jimmy Manyi.
He said it is a clear confirmation of ”ingrained racism” that regards blacks, regardless of their outstanding achievements and track record, as inherently inferior, mediocre and incompetent.
”This appointment can only be interpreted as an assault to black people in general and Peter Moyo in particular,” he added. — Sapa