Governance

• Overview
• Governance Structure
• Board Committees
• Amatola Water Management

• Overview

  The Board operates under a sound governance framework to ensure effective and judicious direction and leadership is provided to management.

  At the management level, management has further institutionalised the governance framework of the management of the activities of the organisation through the adoption of terms of reference and the delegation of authority.

  The governance framework of the company is under review to further institutionalise effectiveness and efficiency to deliver on the business plan for the company and to entrench the approach of integrated reporting, as adopted over the last year.

• Governance Structure

  EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY AND SHAREHOLDER

  

  Mr David Mahlobo

  Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation

  Mr David Mahlobo was born on the 14th of January 1972 in KwaNdwalaza Royal Kraal, Berglaas in Piet Retief, Transvaal (now Mpumalanga).

  At the height of apartheid in 1981, he and his sisters fled to Swaziland due to forced removals and they were separated from their parents. They would spend the earlier years of their lives outside the country of their birth and the brutality of apartheid caused disruption to their educational aspirations.

  In 1983, the young Mahlobo siblings returned to South Africa and reunited with their mother. He resumed schooling and completed his Joint Matriculation Board Certificate (Grade 12) in 1991 at Bambanani High School. He later enrolled with the University of Zululand (Ongoye campus) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) Degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry in 1998. The following year in 1999, he obtained his Bachelor of Science Honours (Bsc. Honours) Degree in Biochemistry at the University of Zululand.

  He obtained additional certificates in Water Quality Management Course II: Management Aspects. Mr Mahlobo would later complete course on Performance Budgeting and Financial Management Course as well as Targeted Recruitment and Selection at Deloitte Human Capital.

  He worked as an Educator in Bambanani High School, responsible for Biology and Physical Science for Grade 10 and 11 learners. He later worked in Lalela Finishing School, teaching Physical Science and Biology for Grade 12.

  Mr Mahlobo cut his teeth in the water sector when he joined the then Department of Water and Forestry, Mpumalanga province, in the Water Quality Division, responsible for the Upper Olifants River Catchment with respect to Water Use Control at mines, municipalities and industries; Water Resource Management Protection and Impact Management, Water Quality Management and Water Quality Communication.

  He was later promoted to be an Assistant Director: Transformation (later renamed External Transformation) and rose through the ranks to become Deputy Director and Director in the same Unit at the Department of Water and Forestry.

  In 2009, he was appointed as the Head of Department (HOD) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs by Mpumalanga Provincial Government for a period of three years which was further renewed in 2012. He resigned as HOD for COGTA in 2014 when he became ANC Parliamentary Candidate.

  Since then he has served in the following capacities:
  
  

  • Member of the National Assembly (Parliament of the Republic of South Africa) from May 2014 – May 2019
  • Minister of State Security from May 2014 to October 2017
  • Minister of Energy from October 2017 to February 2018
  • Member of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry from March 2018 to May 2019
  • Re-elected as a Member of the National Assembly since May 2019 to date
  • Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation from May to date

  BOARD MEMBERS

  

  Ms Pam Yako

  Board Chairperson

  Strategy development and implementation, project management, executive coaching, sustainability planning, and municipal support and turnaround

  For over a decade, Ms Yako has successfully performed various senior roles including as a public servant heading some of the most influential local, provincial and national entities in the spheres of water, environmental affairs and municipal management.

  Ms Yako’s has also served on the boards of the Planning Commission (Chairperson), Linked Environmental Services, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Seriti Institute Board, South African Tourism Board, WWF and SANBI. Currently, she is SANPARKS Board Chairperson.

  

  Mr Simphiwe Dzengwa

  Board Member

  Finance, project finance, policy development, capacity building, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and research and innovation

  Mr Dzengwa has experience as a board member, board committee member, executive and senior manager.  Served as a CEO for Hluma Local Investment Development Agency, the Eastern Cape Innovation Hub and the Gauteng Partnership Fund. He has wide exposure and tremendous advantage of understanding the policies, legislative frameworks and operational matters applicable to three spheres of government. He also has experience in the private sector and has led various initiatives nationally and internationally.

  

  Mr Ayanda Mjekula

  Board Member

  Enterprise and supplier development, executive management

  Mr. Ayanda Mjekula, is a member of the Institute of Directors of S.A. He currently holds positions on various boards. He is the Deputy Chairperson of the Coega Development Corporation and chairs its Audit and Risk Committee and also a member of its Capital Allocation Committee. He serves on the board of Safika Holdings including its Audit and Risk Committee as well as its Remuneration Committee.  He is the Chairperson of the National Arts Festival and a Trustee of the Anglican Church of S.A. Pension Fund. He is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Fort Hare Foundation. 

  In the past he has held board positions as Chairperson of CEF SOC, UBank Limited as a head of the Audit, Remuneration, and IT Governance Committees. For seventeen (17) years, he served on the Council of the University of Fort Hare and became Deputy Chairperson while he chaired the Finance and the IT Governance Committees.

  Mr Mjekula cut his teeth in the banking industry, having held executive management positions at Nedbank and Standard Bank, over a period of twenty-four (24) years. He was the first black person to be appointed in an executive management position in any bank in South Africa. In 1989, he was honoured with the Black Management Forum/ Kellogg’s Manager of the year award, in recognition of his managerial achievements. He had previously been awarded, by Ford Motor Company, a fellowship to read for his MBA.

  As once Chief Executive of the South Africa Supplier Development Agency(SASDA), he gained extensive experience in enterprise and supplier development. He has played a major role in the energy sector, particularly in the liquid fuels industry. He holds a BA degree in English from the University of Fort Hare and an MBA in Financial Accounting from Western Michigan University.

  

  Ms Boitumelo Mokgatle

  Board Member

  Quality assurance, audit and risk management

  Ms Mokgatle, who serves on the boards of the CIBD, Magalies Water Board, Dannhauser Local Municipality, Durban Chamber of Commerce, City of Johannesburg: Johannesburg Roads Agency,  City of Tshwane and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission.

  She has over 25 years of experience in the audit field having gained her experience with KPGM, Ernst & Young after which she joined the South African Revenue Services where amongst others, she was involved in strategic projects and later the Presidency where she was the Director – Internal Audit and Risk Management.  The role of Group Chief Risk Officer at the Ithala Development Fund.

  

  Mr Ndumiso Tyibilika

  Board Member

  Financial decision-making skills, design engineering and system integration, operations management, project management, business re-engineering, system and operations optimisation, supply chain management, business strategy crafting and implementation

  Ms Tyibilika has a track record as an engineer having worked for Amcoal, Caltex Refinery, Eskom (Hydro & Water), Denel and Coca-Cola.  It also includes as a consultant to PBMR.  Current client sectors include engineering, steel supplier and aviation spares hub.  Landmark projects include the R120m refinery upgrade for Caltex’s jet fuel desulphurisation and the R21m Coca-Cola Canner’s new packaging line installation, and the Caltex ultra-lift medication of a fractionator.

  

  Mr Wisdom Mushohwe

  Board Member

  Finance, advisory, taxation, audit and risk management.

  Mr Mushohwe is a Chartered Accountant through the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) through the California Board of Accountancy in the United States of America and also holds a Master’s in Business Administration. Mr Mushohwe serves on the Boards/Audit Committees of World Vision South Africa (NPO), Mnquma Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality and Man on a Mission (NPO).

  He comes with broad experience in finance, auditing, advisory and taxation spanning over 17 years. Mr Mushohwe acquired most of his experience in finance and auditing environments at Deloitte and Touche, where he served in various positions in South Africa, United Arab Emirates and United States of America. With a balanced exposure to both the private and public sectors; a number of Municipalities, Departments, State-owned companies and private companies within South Africa under both the GRAP and IFRS frameworks. He is passionate about seeing growth and success of communities through Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), public sector, and small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

  He brings vast private sector experience from having served as a Financial Director of a national private company and later promoted to Group CFO and the Board of the then listed holding company. Currently, he is a Director at Sync Finance with a focus in assisting and growing SMEs.

  

  Ms Nonkululeko Mxenge-Mayende

  Board Member

  Ms Mxenge-Mayende is a seasoned professional who leverages experience and expertise in destination sales and marketing to promote emerging and existing industrial zones, industrial parks and Special Economic Zones locations to global potential investors. Has 27 years’ global markets experience and competencies honed on four continents primarily in Foreign Direct Investment promotion, recruitment, conversion and facilitation as well as market access, bilateral and multilateral trade relations.

  This expertise extends to industrial policy formulation and analysis, sales and marketing, international consulting and advisory sales on business development, product and project development, risk management. Proficient in strategic plans development (conceptualisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) for foreign trade, investment attraction and retention. Linked to this is crafting industrial sectors’ promotion strategies and implementation plans targeting utilities (renewable energy, water desalination and waste water treatment) business processing outsourcing, agro-processing, automotives, pharmaceuticals, ICT Electronics sectors for domestic and foreign investment markets. Strong competencies in research and innovation having found innovative solutions in various portfolios especially around renewable energy, wastewater treatment and sea water desalination projects.

  She has demonstrable leadership and corporate governance experience due to the various senior positions held in area of socioeconomic development. Worked with NGOs and CBOs in areas of water scarcity, energy efficiency, human rights promotion and international human rights law. Multilingual and people orientated with an ability to develop high performing teams through capacity building and training, talent management, coaching, mentoring and 360-degree performance focus.

• board Committees

  The governance framework of the Board, consists of the following committees and below is an illustration of their high level functions (depicted in the organogram below) are:

  1. Audit & Risk Committee

  The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing internal control, financial reporting and compliance with regulatory matters. It reviews:

  • the adequacy of internal controls and risk management systems;
  • the Annual Financial Statements;
  • other financial information in the Annual Report;
  • audit findings;
  • the process of preparing financial information;
  • the process of monitoring compliance with laws and regulations;
  • the process of monitoring compliance with the internal Code of Conduct; and
  • developing the fraud prevention strategy

   

  2. Finance Committee:

  The role of the Finance Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

  The focus of the Committee is on matters relating to, or having a bearing on:

  • the overall financial management and performance of Amatola Water;
  • policies and strategies relating to treasury activities;
  • supply chain management (SCM) to the extent of the correct implementation of the SCM policy;
  • optimum debt management;
  • asset management;
  • optimal management of capital spending and
  • budgeting.

  3. Strategy & Business Development Committee:

  The purpose of the Strategic and Business Development Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in the strategic areas of:

  • strategic formulation and implementation;
  • business development (including marketing); and
  • corporate citizenship;
  • project and programme implementation;
  • fundraising for capital projects.

  4. Human Resources & Remuneration Committee:

  The role of the HRRC is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

  The specific focus areas of the Committee are to:

  • oversee the formulation of policy relating to human resources (including but not limited to organisational capability development, wellness, lifestyle, ongoing capacity development, transformation, talent management and knowledge management, organisational design);
  • oversee the performance information system of the AW and evaluate remuneration;
  • issuing recommendations concerning policy implementation and/or policy revision, as appropriate;
  • guide and monitor the implementation of transformation and HR programmes within the organisation;
  • report to and advise the Board on all findings and or recommendations pertaining to the Committee’s work.

• Amatola Water Management

  The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and has oversight of the daily operations of the organisation. The Chief Executive is the link between the management and the Board.

  The management committee comprises the Chief Executive, the Divisional Directors and the Company Secretary. The Chief Executive is also assisted by advisors to this committee.

  The major responsibilities of management are the development and implementation of policies, and managing the daily operations of the organisation.

  Management ensures that relevant legislation and regulations are adhered to and that adequate internal controls are developed, implemented and maintained. To enhance the governance structures and strengthen controls the management level ensures that there is segregation of duties.

  The above is achieved through five divisions and the Company Secretary. The main activities of the divisions represented by the Divisional Directors are as follows:

  Finance Division

  is responsible for financial accounting and reporting, treasury, billing, management accounting and supply chain management (demand management, acquisition management, and inventory management), SCM administration, and payroll management of the organization.

  Corporate Services Division

  is responsible for the Industrial Relations, people resourcing, employee wellbeing, employee benefits administration, organisational planning, learning and development, information communication and technologies, knowledge and information management, property services, fleet and facilities, and legal services.

  Operations Division

  is responsible for water treatment (primary). Bulk distribution and water transfer, metering, operational optimisation, asset maintenance and management, SHEQ management, scientific services, and water resources.

  Planning and Development Division

  The Planning and Development Division is responsible for infrastructure systems planning.

  Office of the CEO

  The office is responsible for external stakeholder management, corporate communication, strategy and planning, corporate performance information management, external policy support, enterprise-wide legislative compliance, fraud prevention, risk management, company secretariat services, and administrative support.

  Other structures and forums

  Amatola Water acknowledges that relationships with other strategic forums impact positively in an indirect manner on the management of the organisation.

  In this regard, Amatola Water is an active member of the South African Association of Water Utilities (SAAWU), the Eastern Cape Water Committee (ECWaC), and a patron member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA).

  To a lesser extent, Amatola Water is a regular participant in steering committees of projects undertaken by the Water Research Commission (WRC).

  MANCO MEMBERS

  

  Mr Siyabulela Koyo

  Chief Executive Officer

  ND (Civil Engineering), Advanced Certificate Programme (Project Management), Certificate Programme (Management Development for Municipal Finance), BTech (Civil Engineering, Urban Planning), BA Honours (Development Studies), MA (Development Studies), Postgraduate Certificate (Monitoring and Evaluation), MBA underway

  Mr Koyo has over 20 years of experience in civil engineering across the public and private sectors.

  Prior to joining Amatola Water, Mr Koyo was the municipal manager for the Intsika Yethu Municipality as well as a general manager at the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. He also performed various technical and management roles at Mbhashe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Rinoma Consulting Engineers, OR Tambo District Municipality and ZM Construction.

  

  Mr Sazile Qweleka

  Executive Manager: Operations & Maintenance

  Bachelor of Technology (Mechanical Engineering), Master of Business Administration

  Mr Qweleka joined Amatola Water in August 2010 as a Programmes Manager in the Operations Division. He has vast experience in the public and private sectors in the fields of programmes management, production systems, operations, and engineering maintenance.

  He has worked for companies such as Namakwa Sands, SA Five Engineering, South African Breweries, and the Ford Motor Company of SA.