Johannesburg – Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has welcomed the appointment of a permanent executive team at Transnet.
In a statement on Thursday, BLSA congratulated Michelle Phillips on her appointment as Chief Executive Officer and Nosipho Maphumulo as Group Chief Financial Officer.
“Having worked closely with Phillips during the last six months as part of the critical work we are doing on the transport logistics workstream, she has demonstrated her decisiveness and ability to get things done,” said Busi Mavuso.
“We couldn’t have wished for a better or more experienced candidate to lead Transnet out of its current crisis.
“Phillips knows what business and government are trying to achieve with the Business for South Africa (B4SA) freight and logistics partnership.”
Phillips was the acting CEO when Transnet achieved a 45% reduction in vessels anchored outside Durban port and a 36%reduction in the waiting time to anchor for container vessels.
“Her permanent appointment makes it possible for the partnership to intensify, amplify, and carry through the momentum of the work that has been done,” said Mavuso.
“We are fully behind her as the business community and stand ready to give her our full support.”
Phillips, who was appointed CEO earlier this week by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, replaces Portia Derby.
The minister said that as acting as CEO, Phillips turned around the freight logistics company over the last few months.
