Press Statements

THE BMF CONGRATULATES NOMPUMELELO (MPUMI) MADISA ON HER APPOINTMENT AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DESIGNATE OF THE BIDVEST GROUP

Johannesburg, South Africa: 14 March 2019

The Black Management Forum (the BMF) is delighted with the appointment of Ms. Mpumi Madisa as the CEO Designate of the Bidvest Group. Ms. Madisa’s long journey and extensive experience within the Group positioned her as the best choice for this role.

“We are pleased about Ms. Madisa’s appointment. We acknowledge the deliberate efforts made by Bidvest to recognize and promote black talent within their business. It is our hope that they will continue to make concerted and deliberate efforts in ensuring that they advance transformation where it matters most, at executive level in consistence with our BMF position” said the BMF President, Andile Nomlala.

 “The BMF is further encouraged by the Bidvest Group’s commitment in advancing black female professionals, indeed in so doing they are demonstrating their seriousness about not only succession planning but also gender diversity within the executive management team. In addition, we are pleased by Bidvest’s efforts of developing the black talent within to take over the business in the long-term. This is a move that’s highly commendable and we would like to make a plea as the BMF to all other companies to follow this great example” Nomlala continued.

The BMF extends its well wishes to Ms. Madisa and pledges its unwavering support to her as she’s in the preparatory process to ascend into her new role.

BMF CONGRATULATES MPUMI ZIKALALA ON HER APPOINTMENT AS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR DE BEERS GROUP MANAGED OPERATIONS

Johannesburg, South Africa: 28 February 2019

The Black Management Forum (the BMF) which is at the forefront of advocating and lobbying for transformation within Corporate South Africa is pleased with the appointment of Ms. Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Zikalala to her new role as the Managing Director for De Beers Group Managed Operations. Ms Zikalala’ s extensive background and experience in mining and more especially within De Beers positioned her as the best choice for this role.

“We are delighted about Ms Zikalala’s appointment. It is very encouraging to see a deliberate move from De Beers to not only promote and advance black talent but also noting the support that will be provided to her by a head of operations. It is our hope that De Beers will continue to make concerted and deliberate efforts in ensuring that they advance transformation where it matters and mostly at the executive level,” said the BMF President, Andile Nomlala.

 “The BMF is further encouraged by De Beers efforts to transform the business whilst consolidating its operations. By so doing they are demonstrating their seriousness about succession planning and respect for black talent and leadership” Nomlala continued.

The BMF extends itswell wishes to Ms Zikalala and pledges its unwavering support to her as she ascends into her new role.

THE BLACK MANAGEMENT FORUM RESPONDS TO SENZO MCHUNU ON HIS MOST UNFORTUNATE UTTERANCES ABOUT BLACK MANAGERS AT ESKOM

Johannesburg, South Africa: 19 February 2019

The Black Management Forum (BMF) has noted with disappointment the utterances attributed to ANC NEC Member Mr. Senzo Mchunu about the failure of Eskom being pinned on Black Managers as reported by the City Press on Sunday, 17 February 2019. The BMF acknowledges that the utility over the years has been engulfed by a gross failure in corporate governance and ethical leadership.

“It is actually astonishing that Politicians are now putting blame on Black Managers, yet we have learnt from the State Capture commission the fervent pressure politicians have been putting on professionals to do wrong things. It is reach of an ANC NEC member to blame professionals when he knows that his organization for a couple of years now has been deploying questionable characters to Boards of SOC’s, that in turn appoint Non-Matriculants to Executive positions” …Nomlala said.

As BMF we wont stand on any pulpit and defend Black Professionals who have abated State Capture. BMF is on record calling for those Professionals who succumbed to the pressure of Politicians to be charged and be brought to book. “Even though we blame the environment they operated under, but we can’t justify their own moral standing. There is no excuse to justify unethical behavior” Nomlala continued.

Instead of the Political Leadership to start doing a self-introspection and ask themselves what role they have played in this mess, they are busy perpetuating the narrative that Black Professionals are incompetent thieves that can’t be trusted with positions of responsibility.  A phenomenon that is now starting to have unintended consequences of reversing transformation gains in SOC’s, by appointing retirement age White Executives, at the expense of competent women and youthful Black Professionals.  

We note with sadness that in the last couple of years, the Political leadership have compromised the image of Black Professionals by appointing incompetent individuals under the disguise of Radical Economic Transformation and yet we know very well their intention was to use playable individuals who have no professional integrity to loot. “As BMF we are issuing a stern warning to the political leadership of the day that this time around we will not tolerate the sidelining of competent Black Professionals, particularly, Women and Youthful Managers under the blemish of being responsibly for the state capture and corruption.

We are calling on qualified professionals to be given space to showcase their talent and skills. This is not the time for finger-pointing. This is the time for all relevant stakeholders to put their heads together and solve the Eskom crisis and the economic quagmire we find ourselves in.

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THE BLACK MANAGEMENT FORUM CONGRATULATES SYDNEY MBHELE AS THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR SANLAM BRAND

Johannesburg, South Africa: 16 January 2019

The Black Management Forum (BMF) is greatly encouraged and delighted with the appointment of Sydney Mbhele as the Chief Executive of Sanlam Brand’s Division. Mr Mbhele’s extensive background and expertise in his field positioned him well as the best choice for this role. “We are excited about Mr Mbhele’s appointment. His track record speaks for itself and we believe that he is a suitable and competent executive to take over this role. It is very encouraging to see Sanlam in this trajectory and we trust that they will continue to make concerted and deliberate efforts in ensuring that they advance transformation where it matters the most, that is, at the top and senior executive levels,” said the BMF President, Andile Nomlala.

“The BMF is truly encouraged by the transformation journey taken by Sanlam. The company is demonstrating their seriousness about succession planning and consideration for black talent. We need to continue to build a critical mass of black executives of Mr Mbhele’s calibre,” continued Nomlala. The BMF extends its well wishes to Mr Mbhele and pledges its unwavering support to him as he ascends into his new role. 

The Black Management Forum Condemns Johan Rupert’s Assertions at Power FM’s Chairman’s Conversation

Johannesburg, South Africa, 6 December 2018 

The Black Management Forum (the BMF) wishes to express its disappointment in Mr Johan Rupert’s most unfortunate utterances made during Power FM’s annual event, Chairman’s Conversation, that was hosted by the Chairman of MSG Afrika Group, Mr Given Mkhari on Tuesday, 4 December 2018 in Johannesburg.

Mr Rupert’s assertions on the state of the country epitomised the nonchalant stance of whites who still largely own and control the South African economy to the everyday struggles of black people to the core. The interview took a downturn from the moment it began through an array of insults that were directed towards black people by Mr Rupert from the moment he opened his mouth. He was blatantly racist and condescending from the onset and with most executive positions still in the hands of white males such as himself, it comes as no surprise to the BMF that the pace of transformation is lagging behind and dismal.

Mr Rupert comfortably spat in the face of black South Africans and organisations such as the BMF. What is even more cringe-worthy and disappointing is that the very same people he undermined and insulted were in the same room with him but the majority of them continuously clapped and laughed in response to his answers and assertions which, in essence, affirmed what he was saying.

It was apparent during the interview that Mr Rupert will never acknowledge his privilege as he unashamedly displayed his disregard for the humanity of black people and he will continue to do so because he was socialised into believing that his race is superior to all other races. White privilege runs in his blood and it is all he has ever known. So as expressed by BMF President, Mr Andile Nomlala, who was in attendance, “If black people do not realise that they are on their own in and outside of this room, then there will never be any other time that they realise this”.

As the BMF we urge the disgruntled black professionals to remember that the system of apartheid did not end because white people finally and miraculously admitted their wrongdoings and ill-treatment of black people but that it ended because of compromises made by black struggle veterans. And so, when the system of apartheid ended, racism and white privilege did not but continued to blossom.

Therefore, the fight against racists such as Mr Rupert is one that supersedes the BMF and unpleased South Africans calling them out, as eloquently asserted by President Nomlala in response to Mr Rupert’s assertions during his interview, “the onus is on us (black professionals) to change the script. We control the legislation in this country and for us to advance ourselves, we need to clinch the levers of legislation and regulation that control what happens with capital, opportunities and business prospects”.

This task is onerous, but we as the BMF will take it head on and leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to advance socio-economic transformation in South Africa.