Prolific South African businessman and activist Sipho Pityana is set to take the helm of one of South Africa’s most important business organisations, Business Unity SA (Busa).
The Port Elizabeth-born businessman, who has extensive roots in the Eastern Cape, was unanimously nominated as president of Busa, with effect from the Busa AGM on June 26.
Pityana, who last year made headlines through his leadership in the Save South Africa campaign in the run-up to former president Jacob Zuma’s departure from office, yesterday expressed satisfaction at his nomination.
He said Busa was poised to play a critical role in the country at a critical time.
Busa, which is described as the country’s “apex” business organisation, is the principal representative of business at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
It was there where the historic national minimum wage and labour relations stability agreements were reached, with labour, community, business and the government working in unison.
In a statement released yesterday, Busa welcomed Pityana’s nomination, which will come into effect when he succeeds businessman Jabu Mabuza, whose two terms in office end at the AGM.
“Martin Kingston has been nominated to serve a second term as vice-president. A new Busa board, elected by members, will be ratified at the June AGM,” Busa said.
Mabuza, meanwhile, said: “I am confident that I leave Busa in a stronger state, with business having found a credible voice anchored by constructive engagement with all social partners to achieve our common objectives.
“It is critical for business to adopt a proactive and unified stance as it seeks to unlock value in the economy and address poverty, inequality and unemployment.
“I congratulate the incoming board under the leadership of Sipho.”
Pityana, the founder and chairman of Izingwe Capital, said: “It’s an honour to be asked to serve the unified voice of business at such a critical time in our struggle for transformative, inclusive economic growth, as we position our country to be a successful participant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Pityana, who along with Kingston was nominated unopposed, is one of five captains of industry and business heavyweights who are new additions to the Busa board set to assume office officially at the AGM.
The new board members include Absa chief executive Maria Ramos, Busi Mavuso of Business Leadership SA, Deidre Penfold of the Chemical & Allied Industries Association, and Joe Mwase of the Small Business Institute.
“Busa has a sound strategic plan, developed under the guidance of Jabu Mabuza and his team,” Pityana said.
“I intend to ensure we emphasise these, where necessary, in three particular areas – driving the agenda for transformative, inclusive growth, positioning our country for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and championing a social partnership for ethical leadership with integrity that enables tangible socioeconomic advances for our fractured society.”
Pityana said Busa would play a strong role in ensuring stability in the country – a critical role at a critical time, both internally and externally in terms of positioning the country as it attempted to attract foreign investment.
“Part of the strategy around this is to ensure that we have a fully inclusive, fully integrated approach.
“Busa has therefore worked towards establishing itself as platform which will be shared by business, labour and civil society.”
He highlighted the extensive polarisation among and within political and civil organisations which contributed to the country’s problems.
He said he expected to see the ethics and values around good governance promoted by the Save SA campaign also promoted through Busa.