Port Elizabeth: MyPE - Nomkhita Mona Joins Goodyear Board

www.MyPE.co.za: Nomkhita Mona - the first black woman to be appointed on the board of Goodyear in South Africa - aims to set the industry benchmark in the areas of environmental sustainability, corporate governance, Black Economic Empowerment and corporate social investment.

Nomkhita Mona - first black women on Goodyear Board

Mona, Chief Executive Officer of the Uitenhage Despatch Development Initiative (UDDI), has been recognised in both government and corporate circles for her visionary leadership in a number of high-profile positions in both the private and public sector - and is determined to use her vast business management experience to build on Goodyear's successes.

"The economic downturn is one of the biggest challenges companies face. But it is also an exciting time to be involved in a company like Goodyear, in terms of identifying strategies that will lead to competition and growth."

Mona will serve as a non-executive member on the board of Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

Deeply passionate about the environment, she is delighted her appointment coincides with new legislation on tyre recycling. "The tyre industry faces an enormous challenge globally to sustainably recycle tyres in an environmentally friendly manner. In South Africa, new tyre recycling regulations have recently come into force - and I am looking forward to being part of the team that champions this."

Mona believes enterprise development could be a major spin-off of tyre recycling efforts. "I would like to see Goodyear being a leader in tyre recycling."

In terms of corporate governance, she takes the recommendations of the recently-released King 3 report (The Report for Corporate Governance for South Africa and the Code of Governance Principles) very seriously. "People need to be very discerning about the board memberships they accept, as they can be held liable for decisions taken at board level."

She is also firmly focused on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and believes companies' success depends on going above and beyond the minimum compliance requirements set out by government. "For companies to work well and successfully compete, BEE should be viewed as a business imperative. I am impressed at the strides that have already been made at Goodyear, and hope to build on these."

In the area of corporate social investment, Mona believes spending in this area should be channeled into "high-impact, high-level projects that benefit the community around Goodyear".

"I feel I can make a contribution to Goodyear's initiatives because of the models of both enterprise and community development I have used."

Mona believes thriving companies adopt a four-fold approach that focuses not just on financial success but also on environmental and social issues, and the development of its people.

"As a board member, I know I will be learning as much as I will be contributing - but I'm determined to make a difference. It's a very exciting prospect. Ultimately, my main objective will be to ensure that Goodyear meets its own objectives."

"Apart from her extensive experience, Nomkhita is a person of integrity, which has been demonstrated by her involvement in local development programmes. This places her in an excellent position to serve on our board," said Jean-Jacques Wiroth, Managing Director of Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Holdings.

As Chief Executive Officer of the UDDI over the past two years, Mona has successfully conceived and implemented a number of sustainable economic development initiatives in Uitenhage and Despatch.

These include the Tinarha Agricultural Tourism Initiative (TATI), a R16,7-million commercial farming co-operative which has led to the creation of 400 jobs, and the Greater Uitenhage Sewing Co-operative (GUSCO), which is owned and run by 27 women who have in turn created seven more jobs. They supply material shopping bags to a leading national chain store, and have an annual turn-over of R1,9-million.

She is a firm believer in "ensuring money makes more money". "A project should not just rely on government handouts. In the Uitenhage and Despatch area, which is depressed economically, I'm trying to introduce models that suit the business environment and the community, and they are starting to bear fruit, which is very exciting."

Other top positions she has held include Chief Executive Officer of Inkezo Land Company in Durban and Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board. Prior to this, she was the registrar of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in Mpumalanga.

The primary objective of Inkezo, which was supported by government at ministerial level, was to pioneer and drive the land redistribution programme for the sugar industry.

Mona, who holds an MBA from Rhodes University and a masters degree in labour relations from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, serves on two other boards: the Wilderness Foundation of South Africa, where she is also a trustee, and the Oliver Foundation.

The latter is a UK-based foundation which raises funds for community projects throughout the Eastern Cape, providing school uniforms, food and sport facilities to children in the Red Location and accommodation for the homeless.

She is married to medical doctor Sipiwo Mona. They have two daughters Azola, 18 and Sibabalwe, 17 and a son Bongisisa, 14.