The Central Energy Fund (CEF) announced its appointment of former Director-General for the Department of Energy, Ms Nelisiwa Magubane, as the new Chairperson of the Strategic Fuel Fund (SSF) with immediate effect from yesterday June 2, 2020.

She took over from Dr Mnyande, who was unanimously appointed as the interim Chairperson by the fund’s board. In his capacity as a CEF Group Chairperson, Mnyande was to oversee the management of the SFF board’s affairs before the appointment of a permanent Chairperson was finalized.

Magubane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. She is a registered electrical engineer and a professional with 25 years of experience in the energy sector.

She has held various senior positions over this period. She joined the Department of Minerals and Energy as the Chief Director responsible for the restructuring of the electricity, and the planning and implementation of the electrification programme in 2000.

She was later appointed as a Deputy Director-General in charge of the development of policies that guide electricity, nuclear and clean energy in South Africa. She was later appointed as the Director-General of the Department for Mineral Resources and Energy, a position she held from 2009 – 2014. During her tenure as DG, she was a key figure in the facilitation of engagements in the formation of the Southern African region power bloc.

She has also served as a non-Executive Director at several energy companies in South Africa, while currently being an Executive Chairperson of Matleng Energy Solution (Pty) Ltd.

The Fund also appointed Mr Sembie Danan, a seasoned business executive with 36 years of vast experience in various sectors such as public relations, aviation, mining and construction, as a non-Executive Director of PetroSA to fill a vacant position.

Dr Monde Mnyande, the CEF Group Chairperson, commented on the appointment of the two non-Executive Directors:

“These appointments could not have come at a better time when the group is embarking on a journey to merge three subsidiaries, PetroSA, Strategic Fuel Fund and IGas, to form a National Oil and Gas Company of South Africa. We look forward to tap into their rich experiences, as business leaders to complement the work of existing directors to bring stability and certainty within the group.”