Sasol Names South African Coal Veteran Nkosi as Next Chairman

(Bloomberg) -- Sasol Ltd. appointed Sipho Nkosi to its board and said the former coal-industry executive will become chairman in November when Mandla Gantsho steps down.

The change of leadership comes during a vital year for Sasol, as the South African fuel and chemical manufacturer nears completion on its $11.8 billion Lake Charles project in the U.S., an ethylene plant that will further diversify the company from its liquid-fuels business.

Nkosi, who led coal miner Exxaro Resources Ltd. as CEO for nearly a decade and served as president of the country’s mining lobby, will join the Sasol board on May 1 as independent non-executive director, the company said in a statement Thursday. He will replace Gantsho as chairman after Sasol’s annual general meeting.

Nkosi “will provide the necessary direction and leadership in an exciting chapter of Sasol’s history,” said Gantsho, who has served in the role for more than five years. JJ Njeke, a director at Sasol, will also retire at the AGM.

To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Burkhardt in Johannesburg at pburkhardt@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: James Herron at jherron9@bloomberg.net, Liezel Hill, Amanda Jordan

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