Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has appointed eight members to the board of South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) for a period of five years.

This was announced by Minister Mondli Gungubele during the post-Cabinet briefing with the media on November 18.

The board members are Dr Sandile Bethuel Malinga (chairperson), Dr Rudzani Nemutudi, Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba, Deidre Penfold, Gloria Mnguni, Dr Ron Josias, Nandipha Madiba and Tumi Tsehlo.

The appointment of the new board members will augment the progress made in bringing stability to the institution.

Members are drawn from the private and public sectors.

Malinga is the new chairperson of the board. He has a PhD in Physics from Rhodes University and is a space physics researcher. He has published in recognised international scientific and technology journals.

He previously worked as CEO at the South African National Space Agency and has more than 18 years working experience in the aviation and aerospace industry. He currently works for the Air Traffic and Navigation Services.

Nemutudi has a PhD in Semiconductor Physics. He is experienced in research, policy development, nano-technology and analytical techniques.

He has served as an independent member of the National Metrology Institute of South Africa and as a board member of the International Council of Scientific Unions.

Kanakana-Katumba has a D Phil in Engineering Management and is currently the executive dean of Engineering and the Built Environment at the Tshwane University of Technology and is an industrial engineer.

Penfold has a BCom (Hons) in economics and currently works as an executive director at the Chemical and Allied Industries Association. She has extensive experience in stakeholder management, policy development, project management, research and training.

Mnguni is a chartered accountant with extensive committee experience, lectured at the University of Johannesburg and worked for a period in the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Josias has a PhD in Public Administration with extensive experience in technical infrastructure, accreditation and technical infrastructure governance. He has also served previously as CEO of the SA National Accreditation System. 

Madiba has a BCom (Acc) and an MBA, with extensive experience in corporate governance, human resource management, strategic business management, risk management, policy monitoring and evaluation.

Tsehlo has an MSc in Engineering (Electromech, Industrial), with extensive experience in technical infrastructure, accreditation and technical infrastructure governance.

Patel congratulated the new board members on their appointment.

“The SABS is important because it is our national standardisation authority, responsible for maintaining South Africa’s database of more than 6 500 national standards, as well as developing new standards and revising, amending or withdrawing existing standards as required. It is vital to our industrialisation and job creation efforts. A well-functioning SABS means that a high-quality service is available to consumers and businesses.

“The new board has the opportunity and mandate to take SABS to be a leading global standards institution. I wish them well,” Patel said.