Directors

         
 

 

 
Ton Vosloo

Ton Vosloo (73) became managing director of Naspers in 1984, serving as executive chairman from 1992 to 1997. Mr Vosloo worked as a journalist from 1956 to 1983 and as editor of Beeld from 1977 to 1983. He is a director of Media24 and MultiChoice South Africa Holdings, chairman of MIH BV, MIH Holdings and MIH (Mauritius) and independent non-executive chairman of the board of Naspers, a position he has held since 1997. He is a former chairman of Sanlam, M-Net, WWF South Africa and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded the Nieman Fellowship from Harvard University in 1970. Mr Vosloo has been awarded three honorary doctorates.

Rachel Jafta

Rachel Jafta (50), MEcon and PhD, is a professor in economics at Stellenbosch University. She joined Naspers as a director in 2003 and was appointed a director of Media24 in 2007. She is a member of the South African Economic Society, director of Econex, chairperson of the Cape Town Carnival Trust and board member of the South African Institute of Race Relations. She is a member of the audit and risk committees of Naspers and Media24. She was appointed chair of the Media24 audit and risk committees in April 2008.

Koos Bekker

Koos Bekker (58) led the founding team of M-Net in 1985. He was also a founding director of MTN. He led the MIH group until 1997, when he became chief executive officer of Naspers. He serves on the boards of other companies in the wider group. He also served on the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the Council of Stellenbosch University and various bodies. He holds several qualii cations, including BAHons (Stellenbosch), LLB (Wits), MBA (Columbia) and an honorary doctorate.

Jakes Gerwel

Jakes Gerwel (65) joined Naspers as a director in 1999. He is a former director- general in the office of then president Nelson Mandela, and a previous director of the University of the Western Cape. He is chancellor of Rhodes University, distinguished professor in humanities at the University of the Western Cape and honorary professor in humanities at the University of Pretoria. He is non-executive chairman of Aurecon, Brimstone Investment Corporation, Life Healthcare and Media24. He chairs the boards of trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela Rhodes Foundation, Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and is vice chairman of the Peace Parks Foundation. He is a member of the executive, human resources and remuneration and nomination committees of Media24 and Naspers.

Debra Meyer

Debra Meyer (43) was appointed a director in 2009. Currently professor of biochemistry at the University of Pretoria, she holds a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from UC Davis (University of California). She writes for scientific journals and contributes to several newspapers and magazines. She is a published poet, has won several awards in her field of expertise and was recognised by Rapport and City Press in 2007 as one of ten nominated for their Prestigious Women Awards. She is involved in social issues, particularly HIV/Aids, and serves as trustee or board member of various organisations.

Steve Pacak

Steve Pacak (56), a qualified CA(SA), began his career with Naspers as group financial manager of M-Net in 1988 and held various executive positions in the MIH group. He is a director of Media24, MIH BV, MIH (Mauritius), MIH Holdings, group. He was appointed an executive director of Naspers in 1998.

Boetie van Zyl

Boetie van Zyl (72) holds the qualifications PrEng and BScEng(Mechanical) (UCT). He joined Naspers as a director in 1988. He is a member of the boards of MIH Holdings and Media24, a director of the Peace Parks Foundation, and a trustee of WWF South Africa. He is chairman of the audit and risk committees of Naspers, a member of the audit and risk committees of Media24 and MIH, and a member of the human resources and remuneration and nomination committees of Media24 and Naspers.

Francine-Ann du Plessis

Francine-Ann du Plessis (56) has been a director of Naspers since 2003 and holds the qualifications BComHons(Taxation), LLB and CA(SA). Although she is admitted as an advocate of the Cape High Court, she practises as a chartered accountant and is a director of Loubser du Plessis Inc. She is a member of the audit and risk committees of Naspers. She also serves on the boards of Sanlam, ArcelorMittal and Life Healthcare.

Fred Phaswana

Fred Phaswana (66) holds the qualifications MA and BComHons, and obtained a BA (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) from the University of South Africa in 2010. He joined Naspers as a director in 2003. He is chairman of The Standard Bank Group and of Standard Bank of South Africa Limited. He is also chairperson of the SA Institute of International Affairs.

Lambert Retief

Lambert Retief (58) obtained the qualifications BCom and BComHons at Stellenbosch University. He then qualified as a CA (SA) and completed the Owner President Management (OPM) programme at Harvard Business School. He is a director of Media24, chair and former chief executive of Paarl Media group and a director of other group subsidiaries. He is also a director of the listed Zeder Investments Limited.

Ben van der Ross

Ben van der Ross (64), who holds the qualification of DipLaw (UCT) and is an admitted attorney, is chairman of Strategic Real Estate Management (Proprietary) Limited, the managers of the Emira Property Fund. He also serves inter alia on the boards of FirstRand Limited, MMI Holdings Limited and Pick n Pay Stores Limited.

Lourens Jonker

Lourens Jonker (71) obtained the qualification BScAgric with further studies at UC Davis (University of California). He has completed programmes for director development at IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland and GIBS (University of Pretoria). He is the owner of Weltevrede Wine Estate. He joined the board of KWV Co-operative in 1981 and became chairperson of KWV Group Limited in 1994. He led the successful transformation of KWV from a cooperative to a fully commercialised company, and resigned from the KWV board in December 2003.

Hein Willemse

Hein Willemse (53) holds an MA (cum laude), MBL and DLitt degrees. He is currently a literature professor at the University of Pretoria. He is a board member or trustee of various national and international technical associations or community organisations.

Neil van Heerden

Neil van Heerden (71), who holds a BA qualification, is a trustee of the University of the Western Cape, former director-general of foreign affairs, ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, ambassador to the European Union and former executive director of the South Africa Foundation (now South Africa Business Leadership). He is also a director of other companies.