Where does a nuclear physicist with 25 years' experience in Africa go when he eases out of his position as executive chairman of BHP Billiton? The answer for business supremo Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi was simple – the logistics industry. With extensive experience in Africa and in the mining industry, Mkhwanazi was looking for a new challenge after retiring from BHP Billiton. A chance discussion with a mutual friend led to his ultimate decision to set up a consortium and buy into logistics major Ziegler South Africa. The European company entered the South African market with the express purpose of gaining a foothold in Africa – and Mkhwanazi’s background and experience was just what the doctor ordered. After qualifying as a nuclear physicist, Mkhwanazi spent several years in exile before returning to South Africa, initially with the CSIR, subsequently joining the national electricity regulator where he was the COO. “One of things I did was to form an association with the help of the World Bank. I headed up the association with regulators from 37 countries and by the time I left I knew most ministers that mattered in the energy and mining sector on a first name basis.” It was this experience in the energy sector on the African continent that led to his appointment at BHP Billiton where his mandate was to take aluminium into Africa. Mkhwanazi opened offices in the DRC, Kenya Conakry, Ghana, Cameroun, Zambia and Ethiopia. He was responsible for taking the company into the rest of Africa. And this is the value that CEO Sean Moore believes he will bring to the Ziegler group and its Africa ambitions. “While the European shareholding gives us the brand, the balance sheet and the longevity, the company is truly South African,” he said. CAPTION Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi
