A second Reserve Bank Governor from Unisa.

Unisa alumnus Lesetja Kganyago was appointed Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) by President Jacob Zuma on 6 October 2014. Succeeding Gill Marcus, who also graduated at Unisa, the university takes pride in knowing that Kganyago (48) is now the second Unisa alumnus to be appointed to this position.

Kganyago, who has been deputy governor of the SARB since 16 May 2011, has wide-ranging experience in financial markets. He is highly regarded for his extensive knowledge and expertise of the South African and global financial systems. He holds an MSc in Economics from London University (School for Oriental and Asian Studies) and a BCom degree in Economics and Accounting from Unisa.
He has also received training in finance, economics and management through the Wits Business School and Harvard University. During his tenure as Director-General of the National Treasury, Kganyago successfully steered several public finance and financial market reforms. He played a lead role in the fundamental reform of the micro-structure of domestic bond markets, including reforms to the auction system and introduction of new financial instruments such as inflation-linked bonds, buy-backs, switches and STRIPS (separate trading of registered interest and principal of securities). During the period a fundamental reform in management of the national debt portfolio was completed.

Kganyago also led South Africa’s technical team to various G-20 Ministers of Finance and Governors meetings and the Summits (including the inaugural Summit in 2008). He is well respected in international fora for having chaired the Development Committee Deputies and the G-20 Working Group on International Monetary Fund (IMF) governance reform. He was also the vice-chair of the Financial Stability Board’s Standing Committee on Implementation Standards for a period of four years.

Outgoing governor Marcus said that SARB warmly welcomes the appointment: “The appointment of Mr Kganyago as the tenth governor of the South African Reserve Bank reflects the depth of talent and skill in the bank. I congratulate him on his appointment, and have every confidence that he will continue to serve with excellence in his new capacity in the interest of the SARB, South Africa and all its people.”
*Compiled by Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester Homepage image source: www.bdlive.co.za

Dr Amanda Hamilton-Atwell awarded for being the developer of the communications profession

Her passion for the communication profession, her phenomenal leadership and the fact that she is a “serial” volunteer has made Amanda the first in many ways.

The latest one is being the first South African to receive the Chairman’s Award of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Robin McCasland, the 2013/2014 International Executive Board Chair of IABC, presented her with the award at the opening of the association’s world conference in Toronto, Canada last month.

In a media statement issued by IABC, McCasland said that Amanda has been a phenomenal leader for IABC over the past several years. “She has not only lead growth in South Africa and on the African continent, but she has also been a key influencer on the global front.”

Her involvement in the development of the communication profession by being at the helm of the IABC’s Career Road Map, promises to give guidance to the profession itself which helps people to develop their current and future role as communication professionals, guides business regarding the strategic role of the profession and furthermore recognises best practice in thought leadership, strategic management, creativity, resourcefulness and successful communication solutions.

In receiving the award, Dr Hamilton-Atwell said that she was humbled. “I am passionate about the professionalisation of our industry and IABC enabled me to make a contribution – for which I am very grateful.”

She feels that, “It is more than an award – it encourages people to be better at what they do. The stellar quality of the 2014 entries and the importance placed on measuring the return on investment of communication, shows that the format is improving the quality of business communication worldwide. South Africa received 18 Gold Quill Awards in Canada last month,” said Dr Hamilton-Attwell.

Unisa alumnus receives Meritorious Service medal

A Meritorious Service award was handed to the Leader of OLJ International Governance Initiative. An alumnus at the Unisa and leader of international corporate governance initiative, Prof Colin Coulson-Thomas received the meritorious service medal (Meritorious Service Medal of the Order of St Lazarus) at an event in Exeter Cathedral on 25 October 2014.

The award is “for outstanding loyalty and devotion to the aims of the Order at national and international level, and enduring service.” The professor who currently leads the Order’s International Governance Initiative has held one office or another in this international organisation for past 26 years. For 17 of these years his roles included being a trustee of the St Lazarus Charitable Trust.

During the period Coulson-Thomas chaired the executive committee of the England and Wales jurisdiction. According to the European Commission estimates, the Order was the number one provider of medical and other categories of aid to the countries of Eastern Europe and former CIS with twice as much delivered as was being provided by the German Red Cross which ranked second. The Order’s International Governance Initiative is concerned with raising the standards of corporate and public sector governance around the world and particularly where corruption is endemic.

Prof Colin Coulson-Thomas holds a portfolio of board, public and academic appointments. He is a Fellow of seven chartered bodies, obtained first-place prizes in the final examinations of three professions, and is the author of some 70 books and reports, including Developing Directors, a handbook for building a more effective boardroom team, and Transforming Public Services. His most recent books and reports can be obtained from http://www.policypublications.com/