Company
At the heart of AECI’s success is a leadership team defined by deep industry expertise, strategic vision and a shared commitment to responsible growth. These individuals bring decades of experience across global markets, guiding the Group’s innovation, sustainability and performance.
Chairman of the Board
Independent non-executive director
Qualifications
BCom (Hons), University of Natal, CA (SA)
Appointed
Appointed to the Board in 2018 and Chairman in 2025
Philisiwe Sibiya is the founder and chief executive officer of the Shingai Group, an investment holding company focused on empowering African-owned brands. With nearly two decades of executive leadership experience across the African continent, Philisiwe has held senior roles including chief financial officer of MTN South Africa and chief executive officer of MTN Cameroon, where she made history as the first woman appointed to a Chief Executive Officer position within the MTN Group. Her expertise spans finance, governance, risk management and strategic investment. She brings deep expertise in financial leadership, strategic investment, and governance, alongside a proven ability to navigate complex regulatory and operational environments across Africa. Her experience adds to AECI’s oversight of audit, risk, and capital allocation, while her entrepreneurial perspective enhances the Board’s focus on growth and innovation.
Independent non-executive director
Independent non-executive director
Qualifications
BEng (Mining)
Appointed
Appointed to the Board in 2022
Sam Coetzer is a seasoned global mining executive with more than 30 years of international experience across key mining regions, including Canada, the United States, South America, Australia, Tanzania, Fiji and South Africa. He has held multiple senior leadership roles in prominent international mining companies, bringing deep operational expertise, strategic leadership and a global perspective to the industry. As a Director of AECI, Sam’s extensive cross-continental experience and proven leadership strengthen the Company’s strategic direction and international outlook.
Chairperson of the Environment, Health and Safety
Independent non-executive director
Qualifications
BSc (Hons), MBA, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors
Appointed
Appointed to the Board in 2020
Steve Dawson is an independent non-executive director of AECI, appointed to the Board in January 2020. He is the chief executive officer of Nomad Breads. His extensive international career spans executive leadership roles at Incitec Pivot Limited and Dyno Nobel, where he oversaw operations, safety and risk management in the explosives and fertilisers sectors. Earlier in his career, Steve gained valuable experience in South Africa’s mining sector, including a tenure at AECI as Operations and Marketing Manager in the company’s explosives business. Steve’s expertise in operational management, strategic growth and risk oversight contributes significantly to AECI’s governance and strategic objectives.
Chairperson of the Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee
Independent non-executive director
Qualifications
BA Economics and Accounting, FCCA (UK)
Appointed
Appointed to the Board in 2019
Fikile De Buck brings over 23 years of executive financial experience to the AECI Board, having held senior roles including chief operating officer and chief financial officer at the Council for Medical Schemes, and Treasurer at the Botswana Development Corporation. Fikile currently serves as the lead independent director of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and is a director of Attacq Limited. A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment in business, Fikile was the founding president of the South African Chapter of the Global Forum of Women Entrepreneurs and is an active member of Women in Mining South Africa. Her broad experience and leadership across sectors, as well as her deep expertise in governance and financial oversight, bring valuable insight and stewardship to AECI.
Independent non-executive director
Qualifications
BSBA Industrial Marketing, MBA
Appointed
Appointed to the Board in 2021
Patty Mishic O’Brien gained her experience in the chemicals and advanced materials industry in her former position as chief commercial officer at UBQ Materials, a climate tech developer of advanced materials made from waste, and as chief commercial officer at CoorsTek, chief marketing officer at A Schulan (now LyondellBasell) and as global director of marketing excellence at Dow Inc. She brings valuable international commercial and sustainability experience to support AECI’s innovation and ESG ambitions.
Chairperson of the Remuneration & Human Capital Committee
Independent non-executive director
Qualifications
BCom (Hons), University of Pretoria, Certificate in Theory of Accountancy, University of Pretoria, CA (SA)
Appointed
Appointed to the Board in 2020
Marna Roets is an accomplished business leader with deep expertise in financial services, banking and corporate finance, gained through executive roles at leading banking institutions across the African continent. She brings extensive experience in audit, operational efficiency and programme governance, with a strong focus on leveraging digital and data-driven solutions to enable strategic transformation. Her ability to balance innovation with disciplined execution adds significant value to the AECI Board.
Chairperson of the Risk Committee
Independent non-executive director
German
MEng (Industrial)
Appointed to the Board in 2020
Walter Dissinger is an independent non-executive director of AECI and serves as Chairperson of the Risk Committee. He joined the Board in 2020, bringing over three decades of global leadership experience in the industrial and chemical sectors. Walter previously served as global chief executive officer of Votorantim Cimentos S.A., a leading international building materials and sustainable solutions company based in Brazil. Prior to that, he held senior executive roles at BASF across Argentina, Brazil and Germany, including President of the Nutrition and Health division, with responsibilities spanning strategy, business development, and performance chemicals. Walter also serves as an independent director on the boards of several international companies in Brazil. His extensive expertise in governance, risk oversight and strategic innovation contributes significantly to AECI’s long-term growth and resilience.
Independent non-executive director
South African
BSc Electrical Engineering
Appointed to the Board in 2025
Billy Mawasha is a highly accomplished mining executive whose leadership experience spans some of South Africa’s most prominent mining houses. He has held senior roles at De Beers, AngloGold Ashanti, and Kumba Iron Ore, and served as country head of Rio Tinto South Africa as well as managing director of Richards Bay Minerals. As the founder and chief executive officer of Kolobe Nala Investment Company, Billy brings deep industry insight, strategic acumen and a strong track record of value creation. His wealth of experience and visionary leadership make him a valuable asset to AECI in his role as Non-Executive Director.
Independent non-executive director
South African
BSc (Electrical and Electronics Engineering), Stanford Executive Program (Stanford University)
Appointed to the Board in 2024
Nombulelo has more than 30 years of experience in the South African corporate sector. She previously served as the CEO of Telkom SA Limited. In 2013, Nombulelo embarked on a career as a non-executive director and has served on the boards of Anglo American Platinum Limited, AVI Limited, Engen and Old Mutual. She brings strong ICT, governance and leadership expertise to the AECI Board, with deep insight into strategy and risk oversight at listed company level.
Independent non-executive director
South African
BSc (Metallurgical Engineering), MBL (UNISA)
Appointed to the Board on 1 January 2025
July Ndlovu is a seasoned mining executive with over 30 years of experience across multiple commodities and global markets. Since 2007, he has held senior leadership roles, successfully leading large-scale projects and mergers and acquisitions in Southern Africa and Australia with multiple listings. His international mining leadership and commitment to safety and innovation support the Board’s strategic and sustainability priorities.
Group Chief Financial Officer
Qualifications
B.Com (Hons) Accountancy, University of Pretoria CA (SA), The South Africa Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in June 2025
Ian is a Chartered Accountant (SA) with over 30 years of experience. He has held senior finance roles at AngloGold Ashanti, where he led key initiatives in corporate restructuring, external reporting and treasury. Prior to that, he was an audit and advisory partner at KPMG in South Africa and Canada. His expertise spans financial management, taxation, risk and IT. At AECI, he is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial strategy and supporting its growth during a critical transition period.
Executive Vice President
AECI Chemicals
Qualifications
National Diploma in Chemical Engineering Global Executive, Development Programme Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in January 2019
With over 18 years of service at AECI, Dean brings deep industry expertise and a proven leadership track record across the company’s chemical operations. He joined AECI in 2006 as Managing Director of Chemiphos and went on to lead Lake International in 2007. Dean became part of the AECI Chemicals Executive in 2013 and was appointed to the AECI Executive Committee in 2018. He currently oversees AECI Chemicals, with a focus on enhancing cash generation and driving growth. His vision and commitment continue to shape AECI’s contribution to the chemical sector and the Group’s broader transformation journey.
Executive Vice President
Mining
Qualifications
BEng (Mining), WASM Curtin University
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in September 2024
With more than 25 years of international experience in the mining industry, Stuart has led operations across over 20 countries in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. His expertise spans strategic planning, project management and cross-cultural leadership, with a strong foundation in the drill and blast sector. Prior to joining AECI, he served as Vice President at Orica Asia, a global provider of mining and infrastructure solutions. At AECI, he plays a central role in advancing the Company’s strategic goal of becoming a #3 global player in mining by 2030, leveraging his deep industry knowledge and results-driven leadership to deliver growth and operational excellence.
Chief People Officer
AECI Group
Qualifications
BA (Psychology), University of KwaZulu-Natal Postgraduate qualification in Industrial Relations Various leadership development programmes
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in August 2023
Khabonina is a seasoned human capital executive with 30 years relevant experience, 15 of which were at executive leadership level. Her wealth of experience and deep expertise in human capital as well as the mining chemicals industry, places Khabonina in the ideal position to drive the strategic focus of the Group from a human capital perspective.
Chief Transformation Officer
AECI Group
Qualifications
BCom (Hons) Accountancy, University of Pretoria CA (SA), The South Africa Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) ACMA, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK Strategic and Financial Leadership Programme, Standford University, USA Executive Strategy Execution Programme, INSEAD, France
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in May 2023
Group Chief Transformation Officer at AECI Limited, appointed in January 2024, Rafael was appointed to the Executive Committee in May 2023 as Acting Chief Financial Officer. In his current role, he leads the implementation of the Group strategy across all business units. Rafael has held various senior roles at AECI, over his near-two-decade tenure with the Company. His broader experience includes leadership positions at G4S Africa and Ernst & Young LLP in London. Rafael is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and also holds the ACMA qualification from CIMA (UK) and has completed executive programmes at Stanford University and INSEAD. Known for his strategic insight and deep operational knowledge, Rafael plays a key role in driving AECI’s transformation, fostering sustainable growth and innovation across the Group.
Group Company Secretary
General Counsel
Qualifications
BProc, University of KwaZulu-Natal LLB, University of KwaZulu-Natal MBA, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in August 2021
Appointed in 2021, Cheryl is an admitted attorney with two decades of experience in legal, governance, compliance and risk management. She holds an MBA from GIBS and is a certified Ethics Practitioner. Her career spans roles in both listed and unlisted entities across the mining, financial services and industrial sectors. She previously served as Company Secretary of Afrox Limited for eight years. At AECI, Cheryl plays a critical role in embedding ethical leadership and sound corporate governance across the Group. Her expertise and commitment to responsible business practices contribute significantly to AECI’s integrity, performance and long-term sustainability. In 2025, she was recognised on Legal500’s South Africa GC Powerlist.
Chief of Staff
AECI Group
Qualifications
BSc Chemistry (Honours), University of Johannesburg Diploma in Marketing Management, IMM Graduate School of Marketing, MBA, University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business
Appointed
Appointed to the Executive Committee in April 2025
Zanele is a highly experienced business leader with over two decades of executive-level experience in business development, corporate strategy and investor relations. Her career includes leadership roles in leading JSE-listed companies and innovative ventures, where she has consistently driven high-impact projects and transformative strategies. With deep expertise in manufacturing, chemicals and green energy, Zanele brings together strategic creativity and disciplined execution. As Chief of Staff, she plays a critical role in advancing strategic alignment and delivery, enhancing key stakeholder engagement, and ensuring operational coherence across the organisation.
