Board of Directors
COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE BOARD
uMngeni-uThukela Water has a unitary Board comprising 12 non-executive members and one Executive member, the Chief Executive. The roles of the Chairperson and that of the Chief Executive are separate to ensure balance of power. The Chairperson of the Board and all other Board members (with the exclusion of the Chief Executive) are independent non-executive directors in the manner described in King IV Report on Corporate Governance, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as “King IV”). All Board members execute their legal duties in a professional manner, with integrity and enterprise. In terms of the Water Services Act (No 108 of 1997), Board members (save for the Chief Executive who is appointed by the Board) are appointed by the Minister responsible for Water and Sanitation.
The Board Members who have been appointed by the Minister of Water and Sanitation and endorsed by the Cabinet on 1 October 2023:
| No. | Name | Designation |
| 1. | Adv. Vusi Khuzwayo | Board Chairperson |
| 2. | Ms. Nothando Nonkululeko Mkhize | Deputy Board Chairperson |
| 3. | Ms. Senamile Masango | Member |
| 4. | Ms. Sylvia Thandazile Mhlongo | Member |
| 5. | Ms. Hlengiwe Mvubu | Member |
| 6. | Mr. Khanyisani Stanley Shandu | Member |
| 7. | Adv. Lavandran Nanda Gopaul | Member |
| 8. | Mr. Sibusiso Wycliff Mkhize | Member |
| 9. | Adv. Kwazikwenkosi Innocent Mshengu | Member |
| 10. | Ms. Diana Gloria Hoorzuk | Member |
| 11. | Mr. Timothy James Cornish | Member |
| 12. | Mr. Sipho Maxwell Mtolo | Member |
| 13. | Mr. Thami Mkhwanazi | Acting Chief Executive |
Members of the Board have vast experience in the water sector and expertise in business, finance, legal, ICT, engineering and management to mention but a few. The Board is, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999, read together with the Water Services Act 108 of 1997, the Accounting Authority with full responsibility for governance and oversight and reports directly to the Executive Authority, the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation.
The Board is accountable for the leadership and control of uMngeni-uThukela Water. Its responsibilities include the development, review and monitoring of strategic objectives, approval of major capital expenditure, risk management and monitoring of operational and financial performance.
The Government of the Republic of South Africa, represented by the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, is the sole shareholder of uMngeni-uThukela Water. The Board concludes a shareholder compact with the Executive Authority on an annual basis.
A Board Charter (reviewed periodically) provides a framework for fiduciary duties, responsibilities and overall functioning of the Board. The Board Charter is read in conjunction with the Public Finance Management Act (No 1 of 1999), as amended together with Treasury Regulations and as amended from time to time, the Water Services Act (No 108 of 1997), as amended, and King Code of Governance Principles, 2016 (King IV) and subscribes to relevant principles of the Companies Act.
Non-executive directors receive no significant benefits other tool of work allowances; and director’s fees. Director’s fees are determined by the Executive Authority on an annual basis and, therefore, no Board member is involved in determining his or her own remuneration.
The Board has established four committees to assist it in discharging its responsibilities, namely:
- Audit Committee
- Capital Projects, Fixed Assets and Procurement Committee
- Human Resources and Remuneration Committee
- Governance Committee
uMngeni-uThukela Water has a three-tiered management structure:
- The Board of uMngeni-uThukela Water is the official Accounting Authority as per the Public Finance Management Act (No.1 of 1999), as amended; (PFMA) and
- The organisation’s Executive Committee (Exco)
- Senior managers
The 13-member, non-Executive Board guides the Executive team on strategic policy issues, and the sub-committees of the Board meet regularly and provide guidance to Management. Sub-Committees report to the Board on their activities in line with the developed terms of references.
The Chief Executive assisted by the Executive Committee implements decisions of the Board and manages the organisation on a day-to-day basis. This Executive structure is supported by a number of Senior Managers who provide technical information and assist the Executive team. On areas of strategic importance to the organisation, uMngeni-uThukela Water consults and shares and receives information through Staff Information Sessions, Site Visits, the Staff Advisory Council and through bilateral meetings with Nehawu, the recognised union at the organisation.
Normal management meetings with staff are ongoing. Regular consultation and information meetings are held with customers, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, as well as with the investor community, to inform them of organisational matters.
CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD
Adv. Vusi Khuzwayo, S.C
Appointed as the Chairperson and Board Member 01 October 2023.
Adv. Khuzwayo has more than 31 years practical experience in law, admitted to practice in RSA and Lesotho. Currently practising from the Durban Chambers. He is currently serving as the chairman of the Integrated Forensic Accounting Services (Pty) Ltd, erstwhile chairman of KZN Gaming and Betting Board. He is currently the sole member of QCK Lezmin 4650 cc, with interest in property portfolio.
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD
Ms. Nothando Nonkululeko Mkhize
Appointed as Board Member and Deputy Chairperson on 01 October 2023.
Ms. Mkhize is certified Director with the Institute of Directors in South Africa. She holds a degree in Civil Engineering specializing in Water, a Postgraduate diploma in Project Management, and a diploma in Civil Engineering.
Her experience spans across both the public and private sector. she served as the non-Executive director at Mhlathuze Water.
She has a deep understanding of the public sector governance and oversight, Statutory compliance requirements, PFMA, Treasury Regulations King INV Code on Good Corporate Governance in South Africa (King IV), the Companies Act and other legislation applicable to the public sector including municipal entities
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Thandizile Mhlongo
Appointed as Board Member on October 2023.
Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Purchasing Management, Bachelor of Commerce in Municipal Accounting, Bachelor of Accounting Science in Financial Accounting, Master in Business Administration, and Certificate in Executive Leadership in Municipal Development.
Ms Mhlongo has served in different Municipalities for over 21 years, and most of which were at leadership level. She is currently working at National Treasury as a Technical Advisor: Budget and Revenue Management.
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Senamile Masango
Appointed as Board Member on October 2023.
Ms. Masango is a Director at Mphathisithele Consultancy (PTY): Clean sustainable and innovative- energy solutions, focuses on Renewables, Climate Change, Energy Decarbonisation, Just energy transition. Founder of the Senamile Masango Foundation, Non-executive Director at South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, Ltd (NECSA), Chairperson of the Research, Development and Technology Subcommittee at NECSA, Council Member at The University of the Western cape and Non-Executive Director at Moses Kotane Institute
BOARD MEMBER
Adv. Lavandran Gopaul
Appointed as Board Member on October 2023.
Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, MPA (Harvard University), LLM (Boston University), LLB (UKZN), BCom (University of Natal), and Mason Fellow (Harvard University).
Mr Gopaul is a Director & Fund Manager of Merchant Afrika. He held various Director level and senior management roles in stock brokering, derivatives, fund management and law. Gopaul wrote a regular Sunday Tribune & Post column on Finance, Economics and business personalities. Past Adjunct Academic at Mancosa. He is a regular finance and economics commentator on TV and Radio since 2000.
BOARD MEMBER
Adv. Kwazikwenkosi Innocent Mshengu
Appointed as Board Member on 01 October 2023.
Adv. Mshengu has 11 years’ experience in government administration and 3 years as MEC for Education.
Leadership: Former CSRC President-General and Former CSRC Secretary General at UKZN.
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Diana Gloria Hoorzuk
Appointed as Board Member on 01 October 2023.
Ms. Hoorzuk is a former Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality and Chair of Finance Committee of Council in 2021. Former local government Councillor for a period of 20 years. She held various positions of office during her tenure as a Councillor at eThekwini Municipality.
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Sipho Maxwell Mtolo
Appointed as Board Member on 01 October 2023.
Mr. Mtolo, possess a diverse career that spans both from the public and private sectors. He has served as a soldier between 1994 and 2006 in the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military and the South African National Defence Force. He then ventured into Engineering consultancy, Property development, printing, and building construction.
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Timothy James Cornish
Appointed as Board Member on 01 October 2023.
Mr. Cornish brings a wealth of experience spanning over 45 years in the fields of civil engineering, project management, and water sector support.
He has dedicated ten years, divided into two periods, to working for uMngeni-uThukela Water, focusing on the design and project management of major projects within the CAPEX program.
For nine years, he served as the manager of water and sanitation services for what is now the Msunduzi Municipality.
Additionally, Mr. Cornish has contributed his expertise in the private sector, working for a contractor in a senior role on the construction of the King Shaka Airport.
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Sibusiso Mkhize
Appointed as Board Member on October 2023.
Master of Public Administration, Executive Leadership Programme, and Law Certificate for Municipal & local Government Personnel.
Mr Mkhize is Public Administrator and has accumulated over 20 years experience in various public and service delivery management roles within Local, Provincial and National Government. These roles, included being a Transformation Manager, responsible for amalgamation and integration of policies, structures, systems and procedures from various erstwhile Transitional Local Authorities into a single wall-to-wall then Hibiscus Coast Municipality.
A vast experience of more than 10 years as an accounting office at Local Government including a Water Service Authority. A Ministerial Representative at one distressed Municipality responsible for financial, governance and service delivery recovery plan. A General Manager: Corporate Services responsible for organisational efficiency and effectiveness at a provincial department.
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Khanyisani Stanley Shandu
Appointed as Board Member on October 2023.
Mr. Khanyisani Shandu is a distinguished business man and community leader with an exceptional track record. He is the founder and driving force behind a highly successful business operating in the Civil Construction and Engineering Sector, known as Llthah Africa.
With a background as a Chemical Engineer, Mr. Shandu possesses over 5 years of Invaluable experience in Plant Management and Operation at Sappi Salcor. His expertise In managing large scale projects across various industries showcases his proficiency in leveraging world-class engineering infrastructure.
Under his exemplary leadership as the Managing Director, the company has achieved remarkable growth and established itself as a significant player in the Construction and Engineering Sector.
Mr. Shandu’s commitment to social responsibility is evident In his employment and development of over 2000 young South Africans. Moreover, he actively promotes young talent by providing sponsorship opportunities and serving as a mentor.
With a strong business acumen, extensive experience in engineering, and a dedication to community empowerment, Mr. Khanyisani Shandu Is a highly respected figure In both the business and social spheres.
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Hlengiwe Mvubu
Appointed as Board Member on October 2023.
Ms Mvubu is an experienced Public Affairs & Stakeholder Executive with over 22 years of experience. She has held positions at Foskor, including Communications & PR Specialist as the first black PR Professional in 2004.
She has served as Group Stakeholder Manager for Foskor Richards Bay Division, Phalaborwa, and Johannesburg.
She is an impact driven professional currently works at Mondi South Africa responsible for managing Stakeholder Engagement, Reputation, Risk and Corporate Responsibility.
COMPANY SECRETARY
Ms. Simangele Mbatha
Appointed as Company Secretary on 01 October 2023.