South Africa has appointed new board of Directors for its Brand SA, President Jacob Zuma announced on Wednesday. The team whose duties begin today, November 1, will help the country strengthen its national brand locally and abroad.

While Charlotte “Chichi” Maponya (MD Maponya Group) and Happy Ntshingila (CEO Supersport Ltd) were re-appointed as chairperson and deputy chairperson; the newly appointed Trustees include: Miller Matola (CEO of Brand SA); Mninawe Pepi Silinga (CEO of Coega Development Corporation); Ryland Fisher (CEO Ryland Fisher Communications and former editor of the Cape Times and New Age); Connie Molusi(Chairman of the Sishen Iron Ore Community Development Trust and former CEO of Avusa Media); Thebe Ikalafeng (founder and managing director of the Brand Leadership Group and vice-chairman of the Brand Council of South Africa) and Paula Fray (founder and managing director of Frayintermedia and former editor of the Saturday Star).

Others are: Phumelele Nzimande (Commissioner in the Public Service Commission and former top executive at the SABC responsible for corporate affairs, communications, international relations and human resources); Deon Huysamer (Chair of Global Business Excellence); Mzimkulu Malunga, (CEO Urban Brew and former MD of BDFM Publishers, publishers of Business Day and Financial Mail publications); Rick Mennell (Chairman of Tourism Entreprise Partnership and a non-executive director at Gold Fields); Zwelibanzi Mntambo (Deputy Chairperson of the South African Tourism Board); Ralph Mupita, CEO Old Mutual Emerging Markets and Stavrous Nicolaou (Senior Executive responsible for Strategic Development at Aspen Pharma).

Existing members of the board that will continue their work include: Cassius Lubisi  (Director-General in the Presidency); Danny Jordan (Former CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and South African Football Association); Sandile Zungu (MD, ZICO Investments); Wayne Morris, (CEO Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition); Geoffrey Rothschild (Head: Government & International Relations, Johannesburg Stock Exchange);  Ajay Gupta (Sahara Holdings); Moss Leoka (Chairman: ALTEC and Director: Breezepower (Pty) Ltd); Ramasela Magoele (CFO Broadband Infraco); Sindisiwe Mabaso-Koyana, Board member of SA Institute of Chartered Accountants; Timothy Scholtz, COO South African Tourism.

Phumla Williams (Deputy CEO of GCIS); Pumla Ncapayi (Deputy Director-General Trade and Investment SA, Department of Trade and Industry) and Clayson Monyela (Deputy Director-General Public Diplomacy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation) will represent their government departments as trustees.

Brand SA was established in 2002 as the International Marketing Council to promote the South African brand by developing and implementing a proactive and coordinated international marketing and communication strategy for South Africa.

“From the period of the struggle against apartheid to the dawn of freedom, our brand remains strong and visible. Regardless of challenges we have faced recently, our brand has remained strong and we have a responsibility to nurture and build it further. It is an important resource for the attraction of investments and partnerships that will contribute to our mission of creating jobs and improving the quality of life for all.”

“I thank the new members for availing themselves for this important national duty. We are optimistic that Brand SA will move to greater heights based on the collective expertise on the Board” said President Zuma.

The President also appreciated the outgoing members of the Board who played a sterling role in building Brand SA, including providing direction to huge marketing campaigns such as the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

“We truly appreciate the contribution of the outgoing Board members, they did a lot of good work for the country which the new and re-appointed members will build on. From the FIFA World Cup to our joining BRICS, they provided guidance to the Brand SA team and enabled us to position South Africa correctly as a winning nation in many respects,” President Zuma said.

Elsewhere on Ventures

Triangle arrow