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ArcelorMittal SA has affirmed its appointment of its new chief executive, despite sharp criticism from the Black Management Forum (BMF).
This week, the forum expressed disappointment at the choice of Willem de Klerk as the steel manufacturer’s CEO.
De Klerk, who takes up his new post from September 1, was described by the forum as being “an unsuitable candidate”, adding to “the decline of black CEOs that are in leading companies in South Africa today”.
De Klerk is the current finance director at Exxaro Resources.
Adding fuel to the management forum’s fire is its claim that ArcelorMittal refused an offer to assist with the selection of an appropriate black candidate.
“ArcelorMittal ignored our offer to engage with them in their recruitment process to find suitable black candidates,” said the forum’s president, Mncane Mthunzi.
The steel giant responded with a statement affirming the company’s commitment to transformation.
ArcelorMittal SA chairman Mpho Makwana said that the appointment of De Klerk was suitable and in the company’s best interests.
“We are confident that [De Klerk’s] vast business experience and understanding of the steel industry will enable him to lead the strategic transformation of the company,” he said, adding that a meeting was to be held between the steel group and the management forum at the end of the month.
“We remain firm in our belief that De Klerk is the most suitable and competent candidate for the ArcelorMittal SA role and its strategic challenges.
“We will soon engage with the BMF on this issue as well as other strategic issues.
“Its president is fully cognisant of such a bilateral meeting with the organisation at the end of the month, when we will also introduce the new CEO,” Makwana said.
He spoke about the history of the country and the process involved in carrying out transformation.
“We have made significant progress in ensuring that both the board and executive committee are representative of the diversity reflected in the country’s demographics,” said Makwana.
“I am sure that, given the history of our country, the BMF – and Mthunzi in particular – will agree with me that transformation is not an event but a process. We firmly believe that we are on course and steadfast in our commitment to achieve a level 3 rating by the end of 2016.”
