The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has a new board, and it is headed by a woman for the first time in history.
Nandi Siwahla-Madiba is the new chairperson, department of environmental affairs and tourism (DEAT) MEC Oscar Mabuyane announced on Monday afternoon at the agency's annual general meeting.
Siwahla-Madiba served a full term as the deputy chairperson of the previous board.
Simphiwe Somdyala, the former Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for SA (ASGISA) head, is the new deputy chairperson.
Announcing the new board members, Mabuyane said he believed in appointing young people and women into the positions of board of directors of the state owned entities.
Other board members are Nolitha Pietersen, Andile Ncobo, Prof Mncedisi Jordan and Thobile Buthelezi.
"We are appointing you for a period of five years but in reality your period can be a year. I have a responsibility to retire you if you don’t perform.
"We cannot have you as a board member servicing this board through apologies. Everyone must appreciate the board calendar and attend meetings.
"I will assess your performance on the basis of your ordinary board meetings. We don’t want you here because of the board fees. We want your brains to contribute to the work of this entity.
"Those who are not on this board must appreciate that there are patriots serving on this board for public good,” added Mabuyane...