BLOEMFONTEIN, (News of The South) – On Thursday June 4, 2020, Prof Bonang Mohale officially assumed his role as the newly appointed Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS). The announcement was made at a special meeting of the UFS Council on 20 March 2020.
Prof Mohale’s appointment follows an extensive selection process by the Council to succeed Dr Khotso Mokhele, whose term as Chancellor came to an end on 3 June 2020. Dr Mokhele served as Chancellor for two terms.
A Professor of Practice at the Johannesburg Business School’s College of Business and Economics, and Chairman of the Bidvest Group Limited, Prof Mohale is a successful and respected business leader who has held chairmanships and directorships at some of South Africa’s top companies. He currently serves on the boards of Swiss Re Africa Limited, Rand Merchant Bank Limited (RMB), the Automobile Association of South Africa, and SBV.
Prof Mohale was former Chief Executive Officer of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), a forum which brings together the leadership of South Africa’s most successful and influential big business and multinational investors to exchange ideas, facilitate effective dialogue with government and other stakeholders, and advocate for pro-business, economically sustainable policies, and programmes. He steered several programmes to attract foreign investment and create jobs in the country. He played a pivotal role in the Job Summit hosted in 2018, where R290 billion was raised in investments. As CEO of BLSA, he hosted the Presidential Special Investment Envoys and accompanied them on both local and global roadshows. Prof Mohale also helped launch the SA SME Fund, and Youth Employment Services programmes during his time at BLSA. In November 2001, he received the Presidential Award for his “servanthood in South African industry and the economic empowerment of previously disadvantaged individuals.”
Prior to joining BLSA, Prof Mohale ended a distinguished term as Vice-President of Upstream and Chairman of Shell South Africa (Pty) Limited at the end of June 2017.
In 1996, he was the Managing Director of Otis Elevators: Africa (the world’s largest and oldest elevator company). In his long and illustrious career, he also served as Chairman of the Southern African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, the Marketing Association of South Africa, the Institute of Marketing Management, and as deputy chairman of the national Heart Foundation. Further to that, he held directorships at the Airports Company of South Africa, Sanlam, and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.
Prof Mohale, who is also a published author, has been recognised locally and internationally for his business acumen and skills. He is the recipient of several recognition awards, including the:
• Free Market Foundation’s Luminary Award for 2019, in recognition of the outstanding courage and integrity he has displayed, through difficult times, in his contribution to the business community and for defending the rights of all South Africans.
• Forbes Woman Africa Male Gender Advocate Award for 2019.
• BMF Lifetime Achievement Award in March 2019.
• Momentum Friendship Blazer in 2015 in recognition of being the first RSA Nation Building Champion.
• Winner of both the Country (RSA) and SADC Regional Titans – Building the Nation 2014 CEO Magazine Awards.
• Recipient of an Honorary Professorship in Marketing Management from the University of Pretoria, where he has served on their Advisory Council since 1992.
• IPM CEO of the Year in 2012.
• SA Facilities Management Association’s 2007 Personality of the Year.
• Black Management Forum’s (BMF) 1997 Manager of the Year.
• Presidential award for his “Servanthood in South African Industry and Economic Empowerment of Previously Disadvantaged Individuals” – 2001.
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