Minister Gordhan and Transnet Board Chairperson announce appointment of Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) Board of Directors
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Pravin Gordhan, and Mr Andile Sangqu, the Board Chairperson of Transnet SOC Ltd, announce the appointment of the inaugural board of directors of Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA).
Minister Gordhan said the appointment of the board was a critical step in the government’s efforts to transform the country’s ports and improve their capacity to sustain economic growth and development.
“Our objective as government is very clear. We want our ports to be world-class so that we can sustain our economic development and create opportunities for further investment to make our economy more competitive, resilient, and dynamic,” Minister Gordhan said.
“The new board represents the excellent skills, the experience, and the strategic minds to help drive a critical element of our Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan,” said Minister Gordhan. “Increased trade opportunities require that our ports be fit for purpose. This is consistent with our desire to open access for third-party port operators as we look to harness greater capability for exports,” Minister Gordhan added.
Mr Sangqu said the new board will provide TNPA with critical direction and oversight at a time when Transnet is working to enhance its ability to support the development of the South African economy.
“We look forward to robust engagement with the new TNPA board on their vision for the future. This is about safeguarding the economic well-being of our country, its competitiveness, and about enhancing the country’s appeal as a viable investment destination,” said Mr Sangqu.
NOTE: Additional candidates to the TNPA board will be announced in due course.
The following constitute new appointments as Non-Executive Directors:
1. Ms Zodwa Mlangeni is the Founder and CEO of Alkemy Investments (a non- traditional investment company currently focused on the marketing, advertising and communications sector investments). She is a Chartered Accountant who finished her articles at PWC in 2010 and moved on to become an investment banker at Rand Merchant Bank until December of 2012. Thereafter she became a Senior Dealmaker and Manager in the Office of the CEO at the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa. In 2018 she founded Alkemy Investments
2. Ms Valda Gossmann works as a Group Chief Information Officer at AngloGold Ashanti, a minerals and mining company. As a business transformation leader and executive, she has over 20 years of experience in driving strategic change within large corporate and government environments. Ms Grossmann has a proven track record of not only shaping the strategic agenda, but also translating it into a set of executable strategic objectives that focus on value creation and impact.
3. Ms Nozipho Portia Mdawe is currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS), which provides air traffic, navigation, training and associated services within South Africa and a large part of the Southern Indian and Atlantic Ocean, comprising approximately 6% of the world’s airspace. She was appointed CEO effective 1 April 2022, becoming only the second woman to be appointed in this role within ATNS. She is a former Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer at Transnet National Ports Authority.
4. Ms Sue Lund is an experienced executive manager and independent non- executive director, with a reputable track record in governance, infrastructure investment planning, public-private partnerships, sustainability, and business development. Ms Lund is highly accomplished in appraising infrastructure needs and projects’ viability, formulating investment plans, policies, regulatory frameworks, driving institutional reform in the public sector; and is also an experienced independent non-executive with oversight of corporate audit, risk, environmental, social, and governance performance. Previously she was also General Manager, Public Policy & Sustainability at Transnet SOC Ltd.
5. Mr Velile Dube has nearly three decades of development across both the private and public arenas. Beginning his career in marketing and business development, he served prominent multi-sector participants including Sanlam Life and Shell Southern Africa. In 2000 he attained his first senior management role as General Manager of Aviation for Shell Aviation International; subsequently serving as General Manager of Commercial Fuels for Shell South Africa, Director of Globalisation for Eskom Enterprises, and General Manager of Commercial & Business Development for Transnet Port Terminals. He has also previously held the position of Vice President of Product Planning, Marketing and Communications with Toyota South Africa.
6. Mr Khomotso C. Phihlela previously held the position of Executive Portfolio Management for Transnet. His responsibilities included overall executive management of a portfolio of Transnet subsidiary companies in aviation, transportation, project and engineering. He also was TNPA’s chief executive officer. He was also divisional executive with Transnet Engineering Research and Development. He has also developed functional and general management expertise in directing large staff and line positions in engineering, production, information technology and sales.
7. Clarence Benjamin is an established forensic audit and compliance manager with extensive experience developing and integrating high calibre audit, forensic investigations, compliance, and corporate governance strategies for organisations in the public, entertainment, and hospitality sectors. He has a proven track record of success in leading and managing complex investigations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
The following constitute appointments as Executive Directors:
1. Mr Pepi Silinga is currently Chief Executive (CE) of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). Before joining TNPA on 1 October 2020, he served as the CEO of the Coega Development Corporation, where he led the development and management of the Coega Special Economic Zone. Mr Silinga is a development practitioner of long standing with an extensive engineering and management background. He has previously served on several boards of various national and provincial public entities.
2. Mr Lionel Billings is currently Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). He is a consummate financial executive and change agent with over 20 years’ experience in the finance industry. His remarkable leadership, financial and analytical skills were instrumental in leading his team at Coega Development Corporation where he served as a Chief Financial Officer to achieve a clean audit for three consecutive years. In his role as CFO, Mr Billings provides strategic guidance and leadership to enable sound financial management.
All appointments are subject to relevant vetting requirements.
For Media Enquiries contact
Ellis Mnyandu, DPE Spokesperson
E-mail: ellis.mnyandu@dpe.gov.za
Tel: 012 431 1228
Cell: 079 828 7779
