Litnet

Bonang Francis Mohale is the chancellor of the University of the Free State, professor of Practice in the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) College of Business and Economics, chairman of both the Bidvest Group Limited and SBV Services, and a member of the Community of Chairmen in the World Economic Forum. He is a highly respected South African businessman who is known as much for his patriotism and his active role in seeking to advance the country’s interests. He is the past president of the BMF and author of the bestselling book Lift as you rise, launched in November 2018, a compilation of some of his spoken and written words in which he reveals the issues he is passionate about – among them leadership, transformation, social justice, people development, constructive collaboration and integrity.

Bonang Mohale was the CEO of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) until 30 June 2019, a forum which brings together the leadership of South Africa’s most successful and influential big business and multinational investors to exchange ideas, facilitate effective dialogue with government and other stakeholders and advocate for pro-business, economically sustainable policies and programmes. Before joining BLSA, Bonang ended a distinguished term as vice president of Upstream and chairman of Shell Oil Products Africa (SOPAF) on 30 June 2017.

Bonang, who originally studied to be a medical doctor, has had a distinguished career at the helm and in leadership roles of several major South African and multinational companies, including Otis Elevators, South African Airways (SAA), Sanlam Limited and Tsebo Outsourcing’s Drake & Scull Integrated Facilities Management. He currently serves on the boards of Swiss Re Africa Limited and Rand Merchant Bank Limited (RMB).

Bonang has an impressive track record of building successful companies, delivering results and making significant advances in transformation in the companies he has been privileged to lead. He is a change agent, defender of democracy and social justice activist, and has been a vocal, courageous and active proponent of transformation since the 1980s. He played a leadership role in the Black Management Forum (BMF) for over 33 years, of which he was president.