The CGL Board are ready to lead #ThePrideOfJozi into the Pride’s most successful season and beyond.

Johannesburg, 15 September 2023 – Wins all round will be the aim of the game for the Central Gauteng Lions newly elected Board. Packing a powerful punch, the Board boasts a new President backed by a highly accomplished Pride of leaders resolute in their goal of serving the game.

The most noteworthy change is the stepping down of Lions Cricket President Anne Vilas who served the Board with excellence for many years. Exemplary in her leadership, Vilas, amongst many other tenure challenges, navigated the CGL through turbulent times with the Corona-19 virus. Perhaps her greatest success story though comes this season, and over above the 7 trophies won, declared the Union’s best financial results recorded in the last decade. 

Vilas states that it was a huge honour to have served as President of CGL cricket;

“To have followed Jack Madiseng and now to have Dr Moosajee as my successor gives me great pride to have held this position.  My tenure come with some challenges; however the last two years specifically delivered a truly cohesive and supportive Board unit that has gone a long way to Lions Cricket being where we are today.  I have worked with Dr Moosajee for many years and I cannot think of anyone better to lead the organisation for the next few years.  Lions Cricket will advance from strength to strength with his knowledge, dedication and commitment to the game of cricket.  Knowing that he is supported by David Selepe as VP and Mashilo as Lead ID as well as our CEO Jono Leaf-Wright  has made my stepping down a little easier.

To Mark Patterson, Yasin Manack and Mike Sacher who have also stepped down:  Thank you for the support and work done at club council, pipeline, selection and finance.  You will not be lost to cricket or to Lions Cricket and your contribution to the Board and the sub-committees has been invaluable.”

The new Central Gauteng Lions President, Dr Mohammed Moosajee says that Vilas was a team player with vast experience, an open-mind and calm head, and will be sorely missed by the Pride. 

“Anne is held in high regard at this Union, and alongside CEO Jono Leaf-Wright and his team, has set the high standards which we intend on maintaining in all that we do.”

Working closely with President Dr Moosajee, will be Central Gauteng Lions Vice President, astute businessman and former club chair of the Soweto Pioneers Cricket Club, Mr David Selepe. Mr Selepe brings with him his extensive knowledge of the corporate world having worked for the likes of Vodacom and now currently with the ABSA Group as People Partner in Transactional Banking.

One new Independent Director joined the Pride, in Maya Makanjee who boasts extensive Board and Exco roles at the likes of Datatec Limited; Cell C; Ellies Holdings Limited; Truworths International Limited; Mpact Limited; AIG South Africa Group; Safety SA Holdco (Pty) Ltd; The Nelson Mandela Foundation, South Africa; The Starfish Foundation; Funda Wande and Satsanga Fintech Holdings Limited.

The two new Non-Independent Directors include Ofentse Lebethe and Mlungise Nkosi. Ms Lebethe, current Manager for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Mogale City brings to the table her extensive experience in public service. Mr Nkosi, Hollard Insurance Company Finance Business Partner holds a professional qualification with the South African Institution of Charted Accountants.

The last of the new appointments, is Lead Independent Director Mashilo Matsetela, who currently also serves the role of SA Softball President as well as Dr Steven Firer who was appointed once again as Chair of Finance. 

Rounding up the Leadership Pride are key members retained from the previous Board, namely:

Non-Independent Directors: Earl Glennistor, Aslam Khota and Ashraf Stemmet (previously an Alternate Director on the Board).

Independent Directors: Busi Radebe and Vikash Mathura. 

The Central Gauteng Lions Board for the 2023/24 season is as follows:

•             MOHAMMED MOOSAJEE       NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR – President

•             DAVID SELEPE                            NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR – Vice President

•             MASHILO MATSETELA             INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR – Lead ID

•             STEVEN FIRER                            INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR – Chair of Finance 

•             ASHRAF STEMMET                    NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

•             ASLAM KHOTA                            NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR 

•             BUSI RADEBE                              INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

•             EARL GLENNISTOR                   NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR – VP

•             MLUNGISI NKOSI                       NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

•             OFENTSE LEBETHE                  NON-INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

•             VIKASH MATHURA                    INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

•             MAYA MAKANJEE                      INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

The Board members are energetic, experienced, eager and equipped to provide leadership, guidance and oversight of all matters taking place within the Central Gauteng Lions eco-system. Their vast experience coupled with their passion and patriotism will provide even greater strategic direction for the essential growth of the ambitious and unstoppable PrideOfJozi.

Should you wish to know more, please visit Lions Cricket on the below platforms: 

Instagram – @lionscricnews                              Facebook – Lions Cricket News 

Twitter – @LionsCricNews                                   #ThePrideofJozi #LionsCricket

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ABOUT LIONS CRICKET

LIONS CRICKET (Central Gauteng Lions) is the custodian of all cricket activities in the greater Sedibeng, West Rand, Vaal, and Johannesburg area and manages the DP World Wanderers Stadium and DP World Lions. @LionsCricketSA #LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi 

For further information, please contact Lions Cricket media liaison Caroline Malan

(caroline@theprmachine.co.za)