Susan Shabangu, the Minister of Mines for the Republic of South Africa. She recently commented that Anglo American corporation should have selected an African as chairman.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
ANGLO AMERICAN APPOINTS PARKER AS CHAIRMAN
Sir John Parker has been appointed Anglo American's new chairman
in spite of a strong recommendation by the government that a black
candidate be appointed, the company said on Friday.
"Sir John will join the Board of Anglo American plc as a
non-executive director with immediate effect and will become
chairman on 1 August, succeeding Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, who will be retiring from the Board after seven years as chairman," the company said in a statement.
Parker is chairman of National Grid plc and is also joint
chairman of the Mondi Group with Cyril Ramaphosa.
On Thursday, however, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu
said Anglo American should appoint a black South African as
chairman.
"It should come as no surprise that we feel strongly about this
issue," she told Sapa via email.
"Anglo American has its roots in South Africa and its role in
the South African economy is very significant."
She sad the government had been actively pursuing the
transformation of the country in every aspect "and therefore we
would prefer to have a black South African as the chairperson of
Anglo".
The minister said this would be "a positive signal going
forward" that Anglo was committed to South Africa, to the
transformation of its economy and the development of the country.
However, Anglo appointed Parker who would step down from several
of his board and other commitments. He has recently stepped down as chair of the Court of the Bank of England, the statement said.
"Anglo American's Board appointed a search committee of
independent directors chaired by Peter Woicke, former CEO of the
International Finance Corporation, with members Dr Mamphela
Ramphele, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town
and former managing director of the World Bank, Sir CK Chow, chief
executive of the Hong Kong MTR, and the late Karel van Miert,
former European Commissioner and member of the European
Parliament," the company stated.
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