14 • Business
SANDTON CHRONICLE
Week ending 28 May 2010
Hero among us ABED AHMED NOMONDE Mapetla is a figure that needs little introduction after she made history by turning Eskom into one of the first black economic empowerment procurement entities. Born in what was the Transkei, Mapetla grew up in a home where education was not a choice but a way of life. She is now chief executive officer of the Estate Agencies Affairs Board in Hyde Park. After completing her matric in Swaziland, she studied for degrees in economics and accounting at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, married her college sweetheart Shadrack Mapetla and moved to the United States to study further. She qualified with a diploma in development economics from the University of Colorado and joined her husband at the Ball State University in Indiana where she completed her Masters in economics. Returning to South Africa she held a number of positions before joining Eskom, which included chief economic planner for the Lesotho government, head of the Red Cross for the Southern African
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Development Community and head of the South African Conservation Education Trust. Mapetla approached John Marais, the head of Eskom at the time, to propose a black economic empowerment procurement plan for emerging markets. “My homework and paperwork were in order, and I joined him for a chat over tea,” said Mapetla.
Once this plan was in order, Mapetla went on to serve as head of the office of public enterprises which she reformed into a ministerial department. “All I can say is live a life of honesty and gratitude, give time and expertise to your job and include humour in all you do as there is a funny side to everything.” abed@caxton.co.za
Run Johnny run...Chief executive officer of Bigshoes Foundation Luke Lamprecht supports Discovery Health chief executive officer Jonathan Broomberg as he pushes himself to the limit on the treadmill.
Running for children
Well known…Nomonde Mapetla was responsible for the first black economic empowerment structures at Eskom during the early 90s.
ABED AHMED DISCOVERY Health management and staff took to the treadmills to run 91km for the Bigshoes Foundation which helps towards medical treatment for orphaned and abandoned children. Runners paid R20 to enter and were grouped in teams of eight to 10. Treadmills were sponsored by Virgin Active while all proceeds made during the event were donated to the Bigshoes Foundation. Discovery Health public relations officer Duke Malan said 91km represented the distance
from Loftus stadium to Ellis Park stadium to Soccer City and back to Loftus. Chief executive officer of Discovery Health Jonathan Broomberg hit the treadmill alongside the chief executive officer of Bigshoes Luke Lamprecht to the delight of the staff. “We are ecstatic with our partnership with Discovery. This event is also being held at Discovery offices in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town,” said Lamprecht. abed@caxton.co.za