Bonang Mohale

About Bonang Mohale

Professor Bonang Mohale is the Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Former President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Professor of Practice in the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) in the Faculty of Business and Economics and Chairman of two listed entities, The Bidvest Group Limited and ArcelorMittal as well as Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Africa and SBV Services! He has been appointed the Sherpa of the Values 20 (V20), a global community of values-driven experts and practitioners dedicated to engaging meaningfully with the Group of Twenty (G20) - launched in 2020 during Saudi Arabia's G20 presidency, V20 is an informal engagement group that develops value-based, human-centred policy proposals for the G20. The community’s vision is to deepen the integration of values into public policy, aiming to provide evidence-based, people-centred solutions to global challenges. V20 focuses on how we, as global citizens, can collectively and conscientiously apply values to improve the well-being of people and the planet. In 2022 was asked to convene, moderate and chair the Eskom Electricity Crisis Roundtables - Partnering to Address the Generation Capacity Shortfall with the aim to identify levers to immediately close the generation capacity gap and address structural constraints to a sustainable future of the electricity sector. He is a member of the Community of Chairpersons (CoC) of the World Economic Forum and author of the two best selling books, “Lift As You Rise“ and “Behold The Turtle”! In November 2001, he received the PRESIDENTIAL AWARD for his “Servanthood in South African Industry & the Economic Empowerment of Previously Disadvantaged Individuals”. He has been included in the Reputation Poll International’s (RPI) 2023 list of the ‘100 Most Reputable Africans’. The selection criteria are Integrity, Reputation, Transparency, Visibility and Impact.

Key message

Leadership is service — do well by doing good. | Transformation is a competitiveness strategy, not a tick‑box. | Boards shape culture: strategy, risk and people are inseparable. | Trust is a core balance‑sheet asset across all stakeholders.

Speaking topics and expertise

• Lift As You Rise — Ethically Principled Leadership – Embed values that survive volatility
• rituals aligning behaviour & culture
• Transformation That Competes – From compliance to market advantage
• women’s leadership as economic driver
• The Chairperson’s Lens — What Boards Expect from Exco – Strategy
• risk & culture
• decision‑making in uncertainty
• succession & stewardship
• ESG with Teeth — Doing Well by Doing Good – Investor expectations vs real impact
• carbon
• community & competitiveness
• credible reporting
• From Boardroom to Nation‑Building – Rebuilding public‑private trust
• partnerships that unlock growth and jobs

Achievements

Former CEO — Business Leadership South Africa; Former VP Upstream & Chairman — Shell South Africa; Past President — Black Management Forum 2025 EmpowaWomen Ally Award which ‘honours a man who demonstrates exceptional commitment and strategic action in championing women’s advancement, using his influence to dismantle barriers and foster equitable leadership ecosystem’ 2025 ‘Number 43 Trelawney Park Kwa Magogo Award’ in eSwatini during the 60th anniversary gala dinner 2025 Lifetime Leadership Award by The Future of Leadership Awards under the auspices of The Future of Jobs Summit, “in recognition of your lifelong dedication, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to leadership. Throughout your esteemed career, you have exemplified the highest standards of integrity, mentorship, and service, leaving an indelible mark on all those you have inspired and guided along the way.” 2025 coveted and historic 9th Diamond Awards in Global Educational Leadership by the board of trustees of the Not Alone Foundation, Inc. held on the grounds of the civil, social and human rights pioneer, at The most Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the sacred cathedral, the International Chapel, Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. African Union’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ 2024 at the Africa Career & Gala Awards’ in recognition of exceptional contribution and achievement’. 2024 Society for Industrial & Organisational Psychology of South Africa (SIOPSA) ‘Special Presidential Business Leadership Award’ for commitment to ethical leadership, social justice and economic transformation 2023 ME-Vision Academy Award’s ‘Exclusive Recognition in Successful Leadership’ for consistently leading self and people successfully; successfully leading as a senior executive & CEO; successfully leading society in various impactful roles and contribution to mentoring & inspiring future successful leaders.

Education

MD (Lausanne); Darden (UVA); Ito University (Japan)

Delivery style

Gravitas with warmth; data‑aware stories | Audience Q&A | Boardroom advisory tone

Why audiences listen

Because values‑anchored leadership and credible governance are now strategic advantages that determine access to customers, capital and talent.

What the talks address

How to institutionalise ethical leadership, accelerate transformation beyond compliance, and align ESG with competitiveness and credible reporting.

What participants will learn

Practical leadership rituals, decision frameworks for uncertainty, metrics for transformation and ESG that actually move performance.

What audiences take home

A values‑anchored playbook for culture, governance and strategy — and concrete steps to build trust with employees, customers, regulators and investors.

Benefits for individuals

Sharpen personal leadership ethos and daily practice. | Confidence to lead ethically under pressure. | Toolbox for influence, trust and communication

Benefits for organisations

Stronger culture and accountability mechanisms. | Clearer governance disciplines and decision rights. | Momentum on transformation/ESG aligned to strategy.