Elias Masilela heads up corporate affairs and retirement reform at Sanlam

Sanlam has appointed Elias Masilela (pictured) as Head of Corporate Affairs and Retirement Reform as of 1 April 2009.

Masilela, well known for his role as one of the lead negotiators on behalf of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on matters pertaining to the unfolding social security and retirement reform process, is also one of the founder members of the Financial Sector Charter Council and was its interim and first chairperson.

Masilela held the position of Chief Strategist, Financial Sector Developments at Sanlam Employee Benefits, where he was responsible for advising the Group on matters of policy and compliance in terms of retirement related issues. Given the inherent complementarities, he has merged this responsibility with his new role.

Masilela will amongst others be responsible for the overall management of Group functions encompassing Sustainable Management, Corporate Social Investments, Public Affairs and BEE Advisory/Reporting. This includes a strategic governance role of compliance reporting to parties, such as JSE SRI Index, DTI Codes of Practice and King Code on Corporate Governance.

Riasibe Morathi, Sanlam’s Chief Executive: Group Services says Masilela’s impressive professional history, shaped by his broad understanding of the policy environment on both local and international matters, no doubt makes him a valuable asset to Sanlam.

Masilela joined Sanlam in July 2005, following his role in the government in the National Treasury as a leader of the social security and retirement reform programme.

He holds a BA (Economics and Statistics) from the University of Swaziland and a Master of Sciences in Economic Policy and Analysis - specialising in Money, Banking and International Economics from the Addis Ababa University. He also studied Macroeconomic Policy and Management as well as Global Financial System: Structure, Crisis and Reform at Harvard University.

Masilela is also an established author. His latest book, Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo, which made it to the Top 40 Alan Paton Award for 2007, continues to make untold impact in South African and Swaziland’s socio-politics.