APPOINTMENT OF MICHELLE PHILLIPS AS TRANSNET GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND NOSIPHO MAPHUMULO AS TRANSNET GROUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC welcomes the appointment of Michelle Phillips as Transnet's Group Chief Executive Officer and Nosipho Maphumulo as Group Chief Financial Officer by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan in an official statement released on Wednesday, 28 February 2024.  Since the initial appointment of Ms Phillips in 2023, as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer for Transnet, during a critical time where businesses needed strategic decisive leadership to resume efficient port operations. Ms Phillips has demonstrated clear strategic thinking and alignment when it comes to Port operations and quick turnaround solutions. 

As the business community of eThekwini, we started seeing clear direction and action on critical issues such as Port congestion, aged equipment that needed to be attended to. Through her interim leadership as Acting GCEO, we started to see clear direction on a turnaround strategy geared towards resolving these issues, and not only so but there has been movement in the implementation of this strategic plan. Ms Phillips's clear customer-focused strategy has been truly evident over the past couple of months, as the business community of eThekwini has engaged with her and her team a number of times, in order to work together to tackle Port and Rail issues that have resulted in added pressure on our road infrastructure.   

As a business community, we look forward to continuing the work that we have started with Ms Phillips, and we are pleased that her appointment is the reassurance of continuity, and stability with us the business community. As a Port City/Province we recognise the reality that we are faced with, we know that we still have a long road ahead of us, however with strong Transnet leadership we believe we can work together towards sustainable solutions for the business community. 

 We wish Ms Phillips and her team all the best and as a business community of eThekwini, we believe in her leadership ability and capability and we look forward to continuing the relationship that we have started. 

Transnet board chair Andile Sangqu and newly appointed group CEO Michelle Phillips. Image: Werner Hills

 For more info, contact the Durban Chamber on 031 335 1000 or info@durbanchamber.co.za www.durbanchamber.co.za

NOTE TO EDITORS

Comment attribution: Palesa Phili, CEO, The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC Media contacts: Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPCMs Zanele KhomoChief Growth OfficerT: +27 31 335 1000E: khomoz@durbanchamber.co.za