The interim board members have been appointed for a three-year term of office and comprise representatives of organised labour, the Principal Officers Association (POA), employer trustees and industry experts and will be supported by a full-time secretariat.
A professional body, which is a strategic contributor to shaping the retirement industry landscape, Batseta represents the interests of retirement fund boards of trustees and their principal officers.
The key leadership roles of the new body are filled by Isaac Ramputa as chairman, and Sbu Luthuli as vice-chairman. Ramputa, deputy general secretary of SASBO and trustee of the Cosatu Employee Provident Fund, was instrumental during Batseta's formation phase as the chair of the working committee, while Luthuli, principal officer and CEO of the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund, has chaired the POA throughout the process.
Other members of the Interim Board representing member-elected trustees are Koos Bezuidenhout, CEO of trade union UASA and trustee of the Sentinel Retirement Fund; Ernest Hlongwane, general treasurer at the Professional Educators' Union; Jan Mahlangu, Cosatu Benefits coordinator and principal officer of Cosatu Employee Provident Fund; Thulani Mncube, chairperson of the National Public Service Workers' Union; Shadrack Motloung, UASA divisional manager and trustee of Sentinel Retirement Fund; Malinge Plaatjie, national organiser at NACTU; George Strauss, UTATU SARWHU president and trustee at Transnet Pension Fund; and Samuel Tsiane, Numsa benefits officer and trustee at MIBFA Provident Fund.
In addition, members of the interim board who represent principal officers are Madula Mananye, Sentinel Mining Industry Retirement Fund and Mine Employees Pension Fund; Patrick Mayne, Corporate Selection Umbrella Retirement Funds; John Oliphant, Government Employees Pension Fund; Sipho Sidu, Mineworkers Provident Fund; Lidia Visser, Sasol Pension Fund; Lindy Wingrove-Gibson, City of Johannesburg Pension Fund; Johan de Waal, retired principal officer of Impala Platinum Pension Fund; and Ashley Indurjith, retired principal officer of Liberty Corporate Umbrella Fund.
The appointment of employer-appointed trustees is currently under way. The Memorandum of Incorporation provides for independent directors in addition to those mentioned and Batseta is presently considering suitable candidates for this purpose.
For the first time in South Africa, Batseta provides a home for trustees and principal officers together, creating a single voice for the retirement fund industry and making it the preferred organisation with which external parties can consult. Importantly, service providers may not become members which will eliminate potential conflicts of interest.
A key role for Batseta is education and training. As a professional body, members will be able to acquire and maintain a professional designation while overall skills within the retirement fund sector will be enhanced. The first of Batseta's proposed activities will be the annual conference from 9-11 June to be held at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg.
