Picture: The CEO of Magalies Water, Sandile Mkhize/The Citizen
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Magalies Water has welcomed the contract extension of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sandile Mkhize. This comes after a recent cabinet resolution to have Mkhize’s term of office be extended by another five years. Magalies Water’s Board of Directors chairperson, Dr Lydia Sebego said, Mkhize joined the water utility company in 2014 and has previously held numerous positions, including General Manager of Water Services and Chief Operations Officer (COO).
Sebego further said, as the Board, they are pleased with the cabinet’s decision for several reasons, which include among others, stability in the top echelons of the executive which is critical to business continuity.
“It is common course that, our organisation has just come out of a sensitive and difficult period, which came as a result of the disestablishment of the now erstwhile Sedibeng Water. Our biggest challenge has been managing the transition key which, was the consolidation of assets and liabilities which have been duly transferred to us.
“As such while a lot of work still lay ahead, the appointment of any person to this position required an agile and experienced appointee, who knows the sector and the peculiar challenges, which Magalies Water is faced with in becoming profitable and sustainable,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mkhize said: “I am humbled by the vote of confidence bestowed on me by the government’s highest decision-making authority. This is nothing short of an honour. The water sector has been experiencing numerous challenges and we have been to make significant progress in addressing water supply issues in our area of operation.
“Our biggest task is to close rank with all stakeholders from the private sector as well as across all levels of government to ensure that, we fast-track our plans in ensuring that communities and all facets of the economy continue to receive the highest quality of potable water as prescribed by the constitution of the Republic and the Water Services Act.”
Following the disestablishment of Sedibeng Water by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation last year, Magalies Water currently operates in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalities as part of the transferred responsibilities of the now erstwhile Sedibeng Water, which was previously servicing the two districts.
Mkhize Qualifications
Mkhize is an engineer by profession and has several qualifications including, an MBA from Milpark Business School, an MTech in Environmental Biotechnology from Durban University of Technology, a Management Advancement Programme from Wits Business School, a BSc in Chemistry and Microbiology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, BTech Biotechnology from Durban University of Technology, Senior Executive Programme from Harvard Business School and Diploma in Advanced Project Management from Damelin.
The Guardian 