Ms Portia Derby has been appointed as Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC, following an extensive and rigorous search.
The recruitment process was run by the Board of Transnet, which made a recommendation of the preferred candidate to the Public Enterprises Minister in line with the Memorandum of Incorporation that governs the relationship between the Board and the Shareholder Representative. Cabinet concurred with the appointment at its meeting on January 31.
Ms Derby is an independent and dynamic leader with vast experience in the public and private sectors. She is a former Director-General of the Department of Public Enterprises, which has Transnet as one of the State-Owned entities it oversees. This experience will stand her in good stead in her new assignment.
She will work with the Board, management team, workers, unions and other stakeholders to rebuild an institution that was severely affected by State Capture and large-scale corruption.
Transnet is one of the central entities in our efforts to revive the economy and simultaneously effect deep and meaningful reforms that will be felt by ordinary citizens and businesses as well. The company is critical in making South Africa commercially competitive by providing and maintaining key economic infrastructure through our ports, rail and pipeline networks that facilitate the efficient movement of goods from where they are produced.
We wish Ms Derby well as she prepares to lead the revival of one of the strategic entities and mainstays of our economy. Among other things, she will be responsible for strengthening the Company, restoring its integrity and reputation and refocusing Transnet back to its core mandate. Reviving its infrastructure and significantly improving operational efficiencies at the ports and freight systems are some of the immediate priorities.
The contribution of acting CEO Mr Mohammed Mahomedy and other senior executives like Mr Mark Gregg-Macdonald and Mr Tau Morwe , who helped steer the company in difficult times is greatly appreciated.
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Sam Mkokeli
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