Dr Mamphele Ramphele, the chairperson of Gold Fields, among the world’s largest unhedged producers of gold, has resigned her position to further socio-economic and political work, it was announced on Wednesday.

This announcement comes during a week in which South Africans of all races are waiting with bated breath to get an indication of the influential Ramphele’s political intentions.

News of her launching a political party has rekindled vigour in academic spheres, with lecturers and intellectuals elated about the fact that her party could be launched in time to challenge next year’s general polls.

Ramphele has resigned from most of her private sector directorships and would give up all other remaining private sector directorships, it was announced.

Ramphele said: “I am pleased that during my tenure at Gold Fields, significant progress has been made in entrenching the sustainability of the company’s operations worldwide.

“I also believe that the separate listing and unbundling of the company’s KDC and Beatrix mines into Sibanye Gold will provide its operations with the dedicated and focused management. It will also give them full control over their cash flows to extend the life of the mine in a sustainable manner to the benefit of investors, employees and communities.”

Ramphele was appointed to the Board of Gold Fields on 1 July 2010 and chaired the Board from 2 November 2010. She also served on various Board Committees during her tenure.