Transnet CEO: Portia Derby appointed after ‘rigorous’ search

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has appointed Portia Derby as the new Transnet CEO. 

Portia Derby, the former wife of Brian Molefe, who was once the head of the state utility, has been appointed by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) as the group chief executive of Transnet following an extensive and “rigorous” search. 

The department made the announcement late on Friday 31 January 2020. 

The recruitment process was run by the board of Transnet which made a recommendation of the preferred candidate to Public Enterprise Minister, Pravin Gordhan. Cabinet later concurred with the appointment on Friday. 

A dynamic leader

According to the statement, Derby is an “independent and dynamic leader” with vast experience in the public and private sectors. She is also a former director-general of the DPE which has Transnet as of the State-Owned entities it oversees. 

“This experience will stand her in good stead in her new assignment,” said the statement. 

Derby is due to work with the board, management team, workers, unions and other stakeholders to rebuild an institution that was severely affected by State Capture and large-scale corruption. Transnet is also known as the second-largest public enterprise after Eskom. 

“We wish Ms Derby well as she prepares to lead the revival of one of the strategic entities and mainstays of our economy. Among other things, she will be responsible for strengthening the company, restoring its integrity and reputation and refocusing Transnet back to its core mandate,” it added. 

Derby’s qualifications

According to the website Thenation, Derby has stellar qualifications as she also served as the CEO of the Department of Trade and Industry. 

Her past roles also include:

• CEO of Trade and Investment South Africa; and
• General Director of the Department of Public Enterprises 

She serves on the board of Metair Investments Ltd and UBANK. 

Derby holds a BSc honours degree in economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wits. 

Derby, Molefe and Guptas

According to previous reports by TheSouthAfrican.com, Derby was married to Molefe at one point, however, she did not agree on the influential and powerful role the Guptas played in Transnet and at Eskom. The wealthy family was awarded contracts worth billions, barely providing any services to the parastatals.

Derby eventually fell out with Molefe, as the former MP became cosy with the Guptas. Molefe stepped down from his Eskom post in 2017 and is the subject of a criminal investigation, along with several executives who aided in awarding lucrative contracts to the Guptas.