Changes to the Kumba Board: Kumba appoints Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Zikalala as Chief Executive Officer

Back to 2021

05 October, 2021

The Kumba Board has appointed Mpumi Zikalala as CEO. Mpumi, currently Managing Director of De Beers Managed Operations, succeeds Themba Mkhwanazi who has been appointed CEO of Anglo American's global Bulk Commodities business following the decision of Seamus French to leave the group after 14 years. Both appointments will take effect on 1 January 2022.

Commenting on Mpumi's appointment, Terence Goodlace, Chairman of Kumba said: "I am delighted that the Kumba Board has appointed Mpumi Zikalala as the new CEO of Kumba. Mpumi will join the Kumba Board as an executive director and brings over 20 years of mining experience, having started her career as a Chemical Engineering bursar at Anglo American and having held a number of senior operational and commercial leadership roles at De Beers. Her appointment is another demonstration of our commitment as a business towards nurturing and supporting the success of women. We look forward to her leadership in advancing the strategic and operational aspirations of Kumba".

Mpumi Zikalala, said of her appointment: "It is a privilege to be appointed as CEO of Kumba. My focus will be to build on Kumba's strong safety and operational performance track record, strengthening strategic partnerships and unlocking further value from the business. I look forward to joining Kumba's world class team and contributing to the next phase of Kumba's journey to be the most valued company in the eyes of our stakeholders."

Paying tribute to Seamus and Themba's leadership, Terence said: ""On behalf of the Kumba Board, we thank Seamus French for his insightful and valuable contributions and wish him all of the very best in his future. We congratulate Themba Mkhwanazi and thank him for his enormous contribution to Kumba over the last five years. Through his leadership of excellence and collaboration with stakeholders, Themba successfully led the development and implementation of the Tswelelopele strategy that has transformed the business and delivered significant value to our wide range of stakeholders, not least our host communities. Themba will remain on the Kumba Board as a non-executive director in his new role."

Themba Mkhwanazi said: "I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Kumba over the last five years and would like to thank each of Kumba's employees, contractors and members of the executive team for their commitment to Kumba's success. My appreciation also extends to the Kumba Board for their support and guidance. In the process of delivering our strategic ambitions, the Kumba team has built a great business with exciting prospects. I wish Mpumi well as she takes up the role as CEO. I also look forward to my new role and collaborating with partners and stakeholders across Anglo American's broader Bulk Commodities businesses. My focus will continue to be on safe, responsible production and playing our role in our drive towards cleaner steelmaking using our premium quality iron ore and met coal and working with partners on new steelmaking technologies."

Centurion
5 October 2021

Sponsor
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)