The ICT innovator, Sentech, this month welcomed five new non-executive directors to its board. Simultaneously, the ICT company applauded the contribution of five departing directors.
Regular boardroom changes at the conclusion of a specific term are part of good corporate governance practice at Sentech. Rotation occurs once replacement candidates have been nominated by the minister of communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, and approved by cabinet.
Sentech is a fully commercially operated state-owned enterprise.
Chairperson of the Sentech board, Colin Hickling, who was scheduled to retire, has agreed to serve a further three-year term. Adv Nonkumbulo Tshombe's four-year term started in December 2003.
New non-executive directors are:
Yussur Abrar, CEO of a pan-African provider of financial advisory services. She's a financial service professional with extensive experience in risk management, international market analysis, financial structuring, funds sourcing, information systems and technology and project management.
Mlamli Booi, an engineer with professional experience in telecommunications and broadcasting. He is MD of Z-Coms, a provider of telecommunications and media strategy advice. He has worked on numerous initiatives in the realms of telecommunications and broadcasting policy and broadband Internet technology. He has also served as a counsellor of the Independent Broadcast Authority and SATRA (South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority).
Lulama Patricia Chakela, CEO of an empowerment-driven multimedia production company, Urban Brew Studios, and co-owner of Chakela & Associates, a transformation facilitator through the medium of corporate communications. She was recently appointed to the Gauteng Premier's Film Office Task Force.
Colin Hickling is the chairperson of the Public Trustees and Trust Corporation and a trustee of various trusts. He is director of Pangbourne Properties, Paforma Property Finance and MR Trustees and Executors and a deputy chairperson of SABC.
Dr Len Konar is a chartered accountant and internal audit and corporate governance specialist. He is an external audit committee member of the International Monetary Fund and was a member of the King Committee on Corporate Governance and served on the Securities Regulation Panel and the Corporate Governance Forum. He chairs the ministerial review of accountancy and auditing regulations.
Thabo Patrick Leeuw is a member of the Thesele Group (an empowerment investment holding company) with focus on financial management, auditing, investment analysis and corporate finance. He also serves as non-executive director of Casenove and the Eskom Pension Investment Committee and as general secretary of the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP).
Adv Nonkumbulo Tshombe is a practising advocate of the High Court of South Africa at the Pretoria Bar of Advocates with an LLB degree as well as the Higher Diploma in Taxation. Her involvement in the regulatory environment includes membership in the Regulating Committee of The Airports Company of South Africa and the Air Traffic Navigation Systems and Financial Services Board Licensing Committee.
During the past 12 months, three non-executive directors have resigned from the board, due to other commitments. They are: Ben Bets, who formerly served as chair of Sentech's Technology Committee, Nana Ngobese, former chair of the Human Resources and Affirmative Action Committee, and Abbey Chikane.
In addition, two non-executive directors have retired: Dr Stephen Mncube (former non-executive chair of the Sentech Board) and Nocawe Makiwane.
Board chairperson Colin Hickling commented: "The rotation of non-executive appointments inevitably means that we periodically lose the input of experienced and talented contributors. I offer my heartfelt thanks for their energy and insight.
"Thankfully, we can also depend on regular infusions of new blood. I welcome five new contributors to our highly cohesive and progressive team. They join us at a time of exciting growth and technological innovation. I know they will add considerable value to our deliberations and our evolving strategies."
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