he South African Central Energy Fund Board has announced the appointment of the former Director-General for the Department of Energy, Nelisiwe Magubane, as the new Chairperson of the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) with immediate effect.
Magubane will take over the reins from the interim Chairperson, Dr Mnyande who in his capacity as a CEF Group Chairperson was unanimously appointed by CEF Board in concurrence with the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, to oversee the management of SFF Board affairs while the process of appointing a permanent chairperson was being finalised.
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Nelisiwe Magubane is no stranger in the energy business. She is a seasoned professional with 25 years’ experience in the sector. Over this period, she held various senior positions.
In November 2000, she joined the Department of Energy as the Chief Director responsible for the restructuring of the electricity sector, planning and implementation of the electrification programme.
She was later appointed as a Deputy Director-General responsible for the development of the policies that govern the electricity, nuclear and clean energy in South Africa. In addition, later as the Director-General of the Department for Energy from 2009 to 2014.
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During her tenure as the Director-General, she was instrumental in facilitating engagements in the formation of the Southern African region power bloc.
This power energy bloc included the Cahora Bassa power system negotiations with Government of Mozambique and Government of Portugal, the Grand Inga Treaty with the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Angola, Republic of Namibia and Republic of Botswana.
Currently, she is an Executive Chairperson of Matleng Energy Solutions based in Johannesburg. She also served as a non-executive director at various energy companies in South Africa.
Magubane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Natal University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of West London. She is a registered electrical engineer.
PetroSA new appointment
Meanwhile, the CEF Board also appointed Sembie Danana as a non-executive director of PetroSA to fill a vacant position within its ranks. Danana is a seasoned business executive and an entrepreneur, whose career spans over a period of 36 years, ranging from public relations, aviation, mining and construction.
Commenting on the appointment of these two non-executive directors, the CEF Group Chairperson, Dr Monde Mnyande, said: “These appointments could not have come at a better time when the group is embarking on a journey to merge three subsidiaries, PetroSA, Strategic Fuel Fund and IGas, to form a National Oil and Gas Company of South Africa.”
Mnyande added: “We look forward to tapping into their rich experiences, as business leaders to complement the work of existing directors to bring stability and certainty within the group”.
