Press Statements

Johannesburg, South Africa

The Black Management Forum (BMF) would like to congratulate all political parties who were part of 2019 National and Provincial General Election (Election/s) campaign, culminating with them being declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as free and fair. The BMF also extends its gratitude to the IEC for conducting the Elections in a manner that upholds the integrity of the country’s democracy and the oversight of yet another peaceful process.

The BMF would like to congratulate the African National Congress (ANC) for obtaining a sixth successive electoral majority. This victory gives the ANC a clear mandate and opportunity to restore much needed confidence in the country; both politically and economically.  Further congratulations are extended to the other 13 political parties that have managed to secure seats in parliament.

“As the BMF, we hope the work of the opposition parties will intensify in keeping the ANC Government accountable. Most importantly the BMF would like to see an opposition that will robustly engage on the legislative and regulatory framework and hold the ANC-led government accountable on the implementation of government policy”, Nomlala said.

Read more: BMF STATEMENT ON THE 6TH ADMINISTRATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY

The Black Management Forum is outraged at the recent racist and sexist publication of the article ‘Age- and education-related effects on cognitive functioning in coloured South African women’ by the University of Stellenbosch’s Sport Science researchers Sharne Nieuwoudt, Kasha Elizabeth Dickie, Carla Coetsee, Louise Engelbrecht and Terblanche.

This publication does not instill the hope of ever realising the social cohesion needed for a united South Africa but rather fosters divisiveness that makes nation building near impossible.

The study’s abstract, which is heavily flawed reads in part:

“Coloured women in South Africa have an increased risk for low cognitive functioning, as they present with low education levels and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors”. 

Read more: BMF condemns racist and backward Stellenbosch University Study

Johannesburg, South Africa: 19 March 2019

The Black Management Forum (BMF) is concerned with the rushed and guarded manner of the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS’s) Commissioner recruitment process. Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni has re-appointed Mark Kingon as acting Commissioner of SARS for an additional 90 days in light of a recruitment process that is not as transparent as it ought to have been. It remains unclear to the general public as to who the shortlisted candidates are and when and where interviews will be or are taking place.

It is worrying that this is the case because the SARS Commission of Inquiry chair, retired judge Robert Nugent, in his interim report of the inquiry into SARS, urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint a new Commissioner urgently and that he should, however, follow "an open and transparent process that is subject to critical appraisal, but without compromising the urgency of the appointment." What was supposed to be an open interview session is now seemingly detached from the public and if the report of the Sunday Times article written by Asha Speckman is anything to go by, this process lacks the legitimacy it deserves due to the following reasons:

1. The lack of women representation on the short list is unprogressive and fails to acknowledge the importance of practicing gender parity especially in a position that has mostly been dominated by men. SARS has never had a female Commissioner in democratic South Africa. This male-dominated culture of appointing males in this position is patriarchal as it completely disregards the importance of equal gender representation in key leadership positions such as that of SARS Commissioner. Continuously overlooking competent and suitably qualified women that could occupy this key post exacerbates and normalises patriarchal practices that are continually exonerated and perpetuated in the workplace.

   Read more: BMF Dismayed with the SARS Commissioner Recruitment Process

Johannesburg, South Africa: 15 March 2019

The Black Management Forum (BMF) welcomes Edcon’s decision to appoint Mr. Mncane Mthunzi as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Coming at such a critical time of the Group - when most organisations would have opted for the ‘familiar’ and the more of the same - Edcon’s decision, in the Group’s own words, affirms Mr. Mthunzi’s “wealth of experience and an illustrious career as a Corporate Executive and Director in a variety of business sectors, which includes transport, industrial products, information technology and Government.”

“This appointment serves as a touchstone of value at a time when some in our society appear to cast doubts over the moral compass and competence of Black Executives in South Africa” says the BMF President, Mr. Andile Nomlala. The BMF, steeped in its tradition of personal modesty in accomplishment, seldom celebrates its own members. Let alone any of its Presidents, past or present.

The forum strongly believes that many Black Executives and Professionals are individuals of talent and competence who would, in a normal society, succeed without the very policies that the BMF advocates for. However South Africa is not a normal society as far as race and gender equity is concerned, particularly in Corporate South Africa. “Mr. Mncane Mthunzi is no stranger to this abnormal corporate environment, he is a committed change agent; an effective business leader and a courageous advocate for transformation with enormous personal energy” said Mr. Nomlala.

The BMF wishes Mr. Mncane Mthunzi well in his new portfolio and congratulates the Edcon Group for its foresight and commitment to transformation.

Read more: BMF congratulates Mr. Mncane Mthunzi on his appointment as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of...