SA government seeks black deputy at Anglo American

THE South African government would approach Anglo American about appointing a black deputy chairman after the group failed to appoint a black chairman, Sandile Nogxina, the Department of Minerals and Energy director-general, said on Friday.

The comment came after Anglo announced that John Parker, a well-known UK businessman, would replace Mark Moody-Stuart as chairman from next month. Parker is joint Mondi chairman along with Cyril Ramaphosa, who was one of the potential candidates for the Anglo chair.Pranill Ramchander, an Anglo spokesman, said: ‘Sir John Parker knows South Africa well, is fully cognisant of Anglo’s strong South African heritage and of the group’s substantial business interests in the country.’Nogxina said he was disappointed about Anglo’s decision. ‘South Africa is a major mining country. Surely we must have suitable candidates who could have been chairman?’And Jimmy Manyi, the president of the Black Management Forum, said the appointment of a black deputy chairman would be ‘a compromise’.’This act by Anglo undermines black people. Why could they not appoint a good quality local black person to the position?’ Manyi said.City Press on Sunday quoted Ramaphosa confirming that Anglo had approached him six weeks ago. However, Ramaphosa refused the chairman position because of other business interests.Nogxina said it made sense for Anglo to appoint a local chairman as 40 per cent of its assets were locally based.However, it is shareholders who have the most influence on top appointments and only a quarter of Anglo’s shareholders are local.Ramchander said a number of local candidates had been considered but, due to other commitments and conflicts of interest, the candidates were unable to proceed.Last month Anglo’s board rejected Xstrata’s merger proposal outright.Parker indicated to the Financial Times on Friday that he backed the Anglo board’s previous decision to reject the Xstrata approach.Local investors welcomed Parker’s appointment but his lack of mining experience was a concern.-Business Report