Chairperson of the Board

Dr Mark Williams is an experienced director of companies and an established chief executive in the financial service industry. He has expertise in risk management, strategic planning, change management, business strategy and finance and is a strong business development professional. His qualifications include a BCom Hons, an MBA and a PhD focused on the maritime economy.

He is currently the executive chairman of the Surenet Group (Pty) Limited and its subsidiary, TAU Underwriting Managers (Pty) Limited.

Non-Executive Director

Mike Monaghan is the executive director of finance at Nelson Mandela University. He has served in the position since 2015 and has 23 years’ experience working at the university. He is a member of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA).

Mike has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours and is a professional accountant (SA).

Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Human Resources Committee

Bongi Siwisa is a businesswoman and the founder and managing member of Bongi Siwisa Development Services (BSDS) and is a managing director of Mthawekhaya Development Services (MWDS). Her areas of speciality are stakeholder relations management and public participation facilitation in the built industry, environmental impact assessments for renewable energy power plants and other development projects. She has interests in the gaming and betting, digital marketing, fishing, built, transport and engineering industries.

Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce from the National University of Lesotho, a Diploma in Project Management from the Training for Management Institute and a Practising Certificate as Business Mentor from North-West University.

She sits on several boards including BVI Consulting Engineers and Umsobomvu Fishing and is a non-executive director of Emfuleni Resorts (trading as The Sun Boardwalk).

Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Group Audit Committee

Gugu Nxiweni is a qualified chartered accountant and executive chairman of Improvate Group who has extensive experience in public and private sector environments. He has over 20 years of professional experience in leadership, governance, policy, transaction advisory, business processes, financial modelling and financial management, strategy development and implementation, and business support.

He has, and continues to serve, on numerous local and national boards in various capacities. He was previously a partner at KPMG and was formerly a chief executive of Emmanuel Haven in Gqeberha. He also served as a member of the expert panel in nation building and social cohesion work-stream that was involved in developing the National Development Plan 2030.

Co-Opted Independent Expert Member and Chairperson of the Investment Sub-Commitee

Dr Bridgette Gasa-Toboti is a seasoned construction industry practitioner with over 29 years’ experience in the built environment. She has over time co-ordinated the roll-out of multi-billion-rand projects and is a well sought-after professional. She has worked as an architectural practitioner, a project controls specialist, a cost engineer, a construction manager and project leader over a variety of investment projects across South Africa and the globe.

She holds a PhD in Construction Management and founded The Elilox Group (Pty) Ltd, which is a construction firm that has been trading since 2009. In 2021, she took on a role at Transnet National Ports Authority where she is currently responsible for the mega projects portfolio.

Non-Executive Director

Busisiwe Nzo, or Busi as she is affectionately known, is an experienced and practicing professional quantity surveyor registered with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP). She is currently a partner (managing and active) at Lakhanya Quantity Surveyors, a private practice with offices in various regions of the country. Her experience in the professional building industry spans more than 20 years.

She has and continues to serve on numerous boards and councils of various entities such as the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF), Bayworld and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Council and the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA).

Non-Executive Director

Eric Ratshikhopha is a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the mining industry. He has worked for Anglo-American subsidiary – SA Coal Estates – Gencor, Billiton and Xstrata. In the early 1980s, he specialised in labour relations before shifting his attention to the transformation of business strategies in line with South African realities.

Following his retirement, he has consulted for several organisations and served on the boards of numerous businesses, trusts and foundations, including the MTN Foundation, Accentuate Ltd and Edumap Trust to name a few. He currently sits on the boards of the Randwater Foundation, Simulated Training Solutions, Thembalethu Development, Adopt A School Foundation and is also a trustee at the Nelson Mandela University Trust.

Eric’s qualifications include a BA Honours in Sociology from the University of the North (University of Limpopo), a Higher Diploma in Labour Law, and a Masters in Management degree from the Wits Business School.