Commenting on her appointment, the deeply appreciative Ms Dick – who is also the Vice President of the Confederation of Associations in the Private Employment Sector, a Director of Business Unity South Africa and for seven years Chairman of its Trade Policy Committee – said: “I am truly humbled that a giant such as SEIFSA would consider and ultimately appoint me to this important position. It is a task that I accept and will embrace wholeheartedly.”
Although Ms Dick acknowledges that the road ahead will not be easy given the challenges currently facing the metals and engineering sector, she is adamant that as long as the Government, labour and business work together, there is hope that the fortunes of the sector can be turned around.
“The road ahead is certainly going to be a very challenging one, but the key is not to give up. We must work together with all the stakeholders within the sector to find solutions that will ensure growth and sustainability of the sector,” Ms Dick said.
SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba welcomed Ms Dick’s election and thanked Mr Khumalo for his “excellent service to the Federation and the sector”.
“Ms Dick is a very accomplished business leader who will certainly make a major contribution to the industry in her new capacity as President. SEIFSA will benefit immensely from her enormous experience and her wealth of contacts in various business sectors. My colleagues and I look forward to working with her.
“In the same breath, I would like to thank Mr Khumalo for his excellent leadership of the Federation during his presidency,” Mr Nyatsumba said.
Ms Dick’s Vice Presidents are Babcock International Company Secretary Mr Neil Penson and Macsteel Services Centres Chief Executive Officer Mr Hannes van der Walt. Other board members are of Zimco Aluminium Company Sales and Marketing Director Mr Bob Stone, ABB South Africa CEO Mr Leon Viljoen, Scamont Engineering Director Mr Ross Williams and Southey Holdings Technical Director Mr Ben Garrad.