Press Statements

The Black Management Forum (BMF) commends Anglo American plc (Anglo American) for appointing Nolitha Fakude as Chairman to its Management board. This appointment stands as an affirmation of black talent, but in particular black women in leadership. Anglo American has shown that it can recognize black women and create space for them to display their leadership skills in directing an organization with a global footprint.

“Nolitha’s leadership capability is indubitable. She is a former Managing Director and President of the BMF. As the first woman President of the BMF, she put gender equality at the forefront of her presidency and ensured that the constitution of the BMF reflected and was infested with the necessity of empowering women,” said BMF President Andile Nomlala.

Nolitha went on to formulate the Sasol Group Partnership Forum during her tenure with the company, a model that has been recognised by the industry for improved industrial relations in a multi-trade union environment. Under her direction, Sasol drove the landmark broad-based black economic empowerment transaction, Sasol Inzalo.

“Nolitha has remained unaltered in her passion for the advocacy of diversity and inclusion. Her corporate experience and board participation has prepared her immensely for this role, and the BMF is once again flying its flag high for having provided leadership at the highest level in business,” added Nomlala.

The BMF further congratulates the additional seasoned black executives joining the Anglo American top brass. Mr. Themba M. Mkhwanazi, CEO of Kumba Iron Ore, who joins the Anglo American Group Management Committee in August 2019, Ms. Hixonia Nyasulu (Former Chair of Sasol) and Ms. Nku Nyembezi (Current Chair of Alexander Forbes) who join the Anglo American Board as non- executive directors in November 2019 and January 2020 respectively.

“It is a well-known fact that a diversified board of directors is not merely a token of representation but critical to effective corporate governance. We hope that this incoming Board will in itself advocate for diversity in the boardroom and that the business community will take note of this progressive move that is in sync with the BMF’s perspective and mandate to see black talent being given space to lead,” Concludes Nomlala.

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About the Black Management Forum

The Black Management Forum (the BMF) has been in existence for 42 years. It is a thought leadership organisation with the main purpose of influencing socio-economic transformation in our country, in pursuit of socio-economic justice, fairness and equity. The BMF stands for the development and empowerment of managerial leadership and the creation of managerial structures and processes that reflect the demographics and values of the wider society.

For more information, please contact:

Philippe Bakahoukoutela
Head of Marketing & Operations
Black Management Forum
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011 784 4407