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Charlene Thembelihle Nyembe CA(SA)

Charlene is a CA (SA) with 17 years of experience. She currently serves as Executive Director and Project Lead at Southern Labs Institute of Technology.

Her responsibilities include operationalising Southern Labs as a not-for-profit company, setting up accounting and corporate governance procedures, managing the project budget and financial resources, overseeing HR aspects, and leading the team.

Charlene has board experience in the security, logistics, mining, petroleum, and media sectors. She has held positions such as (i) Managing Executive at AWCA Investment Holdings, (ii) Project Consultant leading the setup of the AIH Capital Private Equity Fund, and (iv) EXCO member at Phembani Group responsible for the CEO’s office, HR management, CSI, and Communications.

She was also a Senior Manager at Deloitte Africa, leading audits for various clients, and spent time in Deloitte Canada as an audit senior.

In 2018 Charlene completed her Global Executive Development Program with distinction from GIBS.

Sindi Mabaso-Koyana CA (SA) (Chairperson)

Sindi Mabaso-Koyana Chairperson of AWCA Investment Holdings

A Chartered Accountant and a respected business woman, Sindi is the co-founder of The African Women Chartered Accountants. She later led the formation of the commercial arm, AWCA Investment Holdings (AIH) which she currently chairs.

She is the Managing Partner of AIH Capital the Private Equity firm of AIH. AIH has built a portfolio of solid investments in the Financial Services, Industrial and Technology Sectors where Sindi plays a role in the strategic and development growth of these businesses.

Sindi is proud of the mission of AIH Group which drives financial inclusivity and financial independence of women.

Her illustrious career has included being Managing Director of Viamax Logistics, a subsidiary of Transnet, Group Financial Director of Transnet, Executive Partner at Ernst & Young, amongst others. She has served as Non- Executive Director of large corporates including Listed entities where she has chaired the Audit and Risk Committees, Sustainability Committees and Remuneration Committees. These entities include the Public Investment Corporation, South African Airways, Armaments Corporation of South Africa, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, FIFA, Adcorp Holdings, Toyota South Africa. She was appointed Independent Chairperson of The South African Sugar Association, to lead the sugar industry Masterplan.

Her current board positions include AWCA Investment Holdings(Pty) Ltd, MTN Group, Sun International Limited, Bidvest Group, BMW South Africa, Futuregrowth Asset Managers, Zenex Education Foundation and an Advisory Board Member of Antwerp Management School (Belgium).

Sindi is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and International Women’s Forum

Jesmane Boggenpoel CA (SA) (Non-Executive Director)

Jesmane Boggenpoel is a co-founder and the Chief Investment officer of AIH Capital with over 17 years of investment and transaction experience and extensive corporate board experience.

Commencing her career at KPMG, Jesmane later joined KPMGs corporate finance department and subsequently worked for Anglo Americans corporate finance department before joining Braiit Private Equity as a Deal Executive.  Jesmane was also the former Head of Business Engagement – Africa of the World Economic Forum, based in Switzerland between 2014 to 2016.

Jesmane is a board member of South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.

Jesmane is the author of a book on racial reconciliation and inclusion My Blood Divides and Unites. Jesmane also created the online Udemy course: Dealing with the Heart of Race and Gender Inequality in the Workplace that we make available complimentary to staff of our portfolio companies.

She was honoured as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2013. Jesmane was selected a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader in 2022.

Melanie Elephant CA(SA) (Non-Executive Director)

Melanie Elephant is employed as a Manager within the Diversified Lending and Leverage team of Standard Bank’s Investment Banking division. Her role includes the origination and execution of term lending transactions for corporates listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. She has gained extensive experience in Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) both in her capacity as Operations Director at PKF BEE Solutions and Regional Executive at Empowerdex. Prior to joining Empowerdex, Melanie managed an audit practice as a sole practitioner, servicing both private and public companies. Melanie qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2004 after completing her training contract with Deloitte & Touché in Johannesburg in 2003. In October 2007, Melanie joined the Board of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA). Her role in the Professional Development portfolio included the facilitating of Qualifying Examination preparatory workshops for members and hosting of the annual AWCA Career conference which showcases employment opportunities for members. She has also been responsible for fostering and maintaining key stakeholder relationships as part of the Strategic Alliances portfolio and spearheads the AWCA weCAre CSI project which aims to help disadvantaged individuals by providing them with monthly food parcels. In 2011, Melanie assumed the role of Deputy President, a position she held until her resignation from the Board of AWCA in 2015.

Gugu Sepamla

Gugu Sepamla joined the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders under the age of 40. Achievements like these are nothing new for Gugu who was previously named as one of 2016 Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans. As former MD at Barclays Africa, Gugu was responsible for looking after a portfolio of strategic investments across various sectors, and heading up the Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs. She has Post Graduate qualifications from Wits, Havard, Insead and Yale. Her diverse professional experience ranges from Strategy, Emerging Markets, General Management, Public Policy, Corporate Governance, Business Development.
Gugu serves on a number of boards including but not limited to Air Liquide, AIH, Boston Consulting Group (“BCG”), Wits Business School and served for 5 years at Media Development and Diversify Agency (“MDDA”) as Chairman. Prior to joining BCG, Gugu has held various senior positions at Barclays Africa as Managing Director for Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs and at Ernst and Young, Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Spin Media, State Information Technology Agency and the South African Broadcasting Corporation. In recognition of her leadership and achievements, Gugu is an ALI Fellow. She was named by Forbes Magazine, for two successive years as one of 10 Most Influential Females in Africa.
Gugu is a Senior Advisor at The Boston Consulting Group. She was a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young. She is the Public Sector and Government Leader in Africa and a priority account leader. She was appointed to the leadership team of the African firm and contributes to leadership of the firm across the globe. In a short time, she has made a meaningful contribution to the firm in a number of different ways. Gugu has demonstrated her leadership strengths among her colleagues by engaging them strategically in significant areas of the business related to both its market and people strategies. As such, she has earned their respect and is often sought for her advice and guidance.

Olivia Serithi (Non- Executive Director)

Olivia Serithi CA(SA)

Olivia is an experienced Finance Executive with expertise in the following core areas:

  • Financial Reporting & Accounting;
  • Taxation;
  • Forecasting & Budgeting;
  • Investor Relations; and
  • Corporate Finance. She is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and an MBA Graduate from the Gordon Institute of Business Science

She leads with passion and have an interest in people development and organisational development and transformation. I believe that my analytical mindset, positive and solutionist thinking and approach, good communication skills and compassion for people enable me to be impactful to the teams that she lead and to her colleagues, which is underpinned by my solid values. Furthermore. She is a believer in lifelong learning and continuous self improvement.

Olivia is Board of Director of Allergan Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd

 was previously Non-executive Board of Director of African Women Chartered Accountants Investment Holdings (“AIH”) and has since came back in February of 2023. She was a Non-executive Board of Director of Atos South Africa, Member by invitation to the following sub committees of the Discovery Limited Board:

– Audit & Risk Committee – November 2008 to 2014

– Actuarial Committee – November 2008 to 2014

– Capital, Currency and Investment Committee – November 2008 to 2014

Karabo Nondumo

Karabo Nondumo  is an entrepreneur who has interests in provision of Industrial supplies & Investments. She held Executive Head roles within Vodacom Business and Mergers & Acquisitions at Vodacom Group. She’s a previous CEO of AWCA Investment Holdings Limited. She was an associate as well as executive assistant to the chairman at Shanduka Group.
Karabo is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA). She has extensive experience in the Telecommunications, Financial Services and Mining sectors. She is an independent non-executive director of: Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Chair: social and ethics; member of nomination; investment; and audit and risk subcommittees); Sanlam Limited (Chair: social and ethics; member of risk and compliance; audit and actuarial, HR and nomination subcommittees); TCI-Tiso Proprietary Limited (Chair: finance and risk committee) and MTN Group Operating companies in Swaziland, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda (Chair: audit and risk committee).
She is an advisory member of Senatla Capital and a trustee of Mabindu and Ubuntu-
Botho Women’s Trusts.
Previous board roles include MTN Group Operating companies in Sudan and South Sudan, Brightrock Holdings Limited; Merafe Resources Limited; SA Express Airways SOC Limited; Rolfes Holdings Limited and Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

Nosipho Molope CA (SA) (Non-Executive Director)

Nosipho Molope CA (SA) AIH is proud to welcome Ms. Nosipho Molope CA(SA). As a Non Executive Director she brings extensive expertise in board leadership and deep understanding of corporate governance. We are exited to have her on board and look forward to the valuable insights she will bring.

Sindi Dlamini CA (SA) (Non-Executive Director)

Sindi Dlamini CA (SA) We delighted to announce appointment of Ms. Sindi Dlamini CA (SA), as a new member of AIH Board. Her expertise, vision and leadership will be instrumental in driving innovation and advancing our strategic goal. Sindi brings extensive experience in investment management and of driving growth in portfolio companies.

Precious Sibiya CA (SA) (Non-Executive Director)

Precious Sibiya CA (SA) Precious is an accomplished executive and non-executive director with many years of experience in various leadership roles. She has more than 20 years corporate experience in finance, risk management, financial management, supply chain management and compliance. She is a seasoned professional who has worked in various roles across diverse industry sectors (viz logistics, energy, financial services, insurance, consulting) within private and public sectors. Her roles range from Internal auditor, Risk manager, General Manager Finance to Internal Audit Director.

She has served and continues to serve on various boards and audit committees in the roles of Board member, chairman, deputy chairman and committee member.

Her current boards and committee engagements are Ithala Development Finance Corporation, AIH, Ethekwini Municipality, National Credit Regulator,  Ekurhuleni Municipality, Financial Intelligence Centre and Reef Tankers (Pty) Ltd.

She has previously served on the boards and/or audit committees of Sentech, SkX, Parliament of South Africa, Gauteng Provincial Government, National Gambling Board, AWCA, Union Life, NEHAWU Investment Holdings (NIH), South African Reserve Bank Captive Insurance Company Limited (SARBCIC) , City of Johannesburg, Eskom Finance Company and Eskom subsidiaries in Africa (Umeme Ltd in Uganda, Elgas in Mozambique), amongst others.

Precious is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and African Women Chartered Accountants. She completed her articles at Deloitte in Durban where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. She is also a registered business rescue practitioner.

She is passionate about community development especially programmes involving children and rural women.