New chairperson for Lafarge South Africa

After two terms in office, Nonkqubela Mazwai has stepped down as chairperson of Lafarge South Africa and handed the reins over to Thandi Orleyn, previously a non-executive director of Lafarge Mining South Africa and Lafarge Industries South Africa.

Mazwai joined the Lafarge South Africa board on 15 February 2007. Speaking of her leadership contribution to the transformation of the company and the challenges faced, she said: “Joining Lafarge South Africa in 2007 was a wonderful opportunity to change perceptions regarding transformation and contribute to making a difference.” The first challenge was dealing with the reality of the diversity in the company. Getting the diverse cultures to work better together and communicate more effectively, she counts as one of her more satisfying achievements." This led to Mazwai heading up a senior level transformation committee, that promoted the real benefits of diversity and fostered its introduction on merit at all levels of the company.

One of the fundamental changes initiated by Lafarge has been the restructuring of the Group on a country basis. “Implementation of such a fundamental change to an organisation has been both challenging and fascinating,” comments Mazwai. Two years down the line, the Country structure is increasingly producing efficiencies and generating extra business from its more customer focused approach under the leadership of a Country CEO, Mr Thierry Legrand,” she says.

“With the building blocks in place for a successful future for Lafarge in South Africa, I am delighted to be handing over to Thandi Orleyn. She is a warm, approachable person and a high achiever, who is already familiar with the company’s ambitions,” adds Mazwai. “For my part, I am passionate about the future of the mining industry in this country and continue to serve as deputy chairman of the ministerial advisory board, while deciding what new challenges to undertake.”