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AFRICAN DAWN ANNUAL REPORT 2020

The Board

The Board composition at the financial year end
Mr. J Slabbert (“James”)
Non-Executive Chairman
James was appoint on 6 December 2018. He has over 30 years experience in the Banking, Investments and
Financial Services Industries, being involved in major businesses and various corporate transactions locally
and Internationally.
Prior to founding Gowin Capital (the holding company of Arvesco), James held the following positions:
• Executive Director of Group Strategy at Absa.
• Managing Executive of Absa Corporate & Business Bank at Barclays Africa Group Limited.
• James was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First South Financial Services (Later Macquarie
First South).
• Co-Head of Research for Southern Africa & Emerging Markets and Top-Rated Banks, Insurance and
Financial Services Analyst.
• Analyst at Merrill Lynch, which later became Bank of America Merrill.
James is 57 years old.
Mr. DS Danker (“David”)
Chief Executive Officer
David was appointed as chief executive officer of the Company on 10 October 2019. David is a Chartered
Accountant (SA) with private equity and corporate finance experience. He currently serves as a director of
Clear Group and Gowin Capital. Prior to joining Clear Group, David was the founder and chief executive
officer of a ride-sharing business and also worked for Ernst & Young Inc.
David is 31 years old.

Mr. G Hope (“Graham”)
Chief Financial Officer
Graham was appointed as an executive director on 11 January 2016. Graham is a Chartered Accountant
(SA) with over 20 years of experience in trading, banking and private equity investments, NDH Bank (later
part of Brait) and various other companies.
Graham is 59 years old.
Ms. V. Lessing (“Vanya”)
Lead Independent Non-Executive Director
Vanya was appointed on 29 May 2013. She has a Public Relations Diploma - Damelin and a Travel &
Tourism Management - Postgraduate Diploma - Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. Vanya
is the CEO of the Sure Travel Group, responsible for managing the interests of shareholders, licensees
and suppliers. She is the former CEO of ASATA (Association of Southern African Travel Agents). During
her tenure there (2001 - 2005), she led the travel industry through change and a series of sensitive
negotiations, resulting in a new industry business model. Vanya has extensive experience in collaboration
and interaction with SMEs, expediting turnaround strategies. Her strong negotiating skills brings ‘on the
ground’ expertise to the Board. Vanya is also a Board member of Sure Holdings (Pty) Ltd, ASATA and
Worldwide Independent Travel Network. Vanya is chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of
the Audit and Risk Committee.
Vanya is 65 years old.
Mr. SM Roper (“Stephen”)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Stephen was appointed on 22 April 2014. He holds an HonsBCompt, PG Dip Tax Law, PG Dip Financial
Policy, and is a Chartered Accountant with 28 years’ experience. He has extensive experience in
investments having served in the research team of one of South Africa’s largest fund managers. During
this time he had the responsibility of conducting investment research of industrial companies in South
Africa. He has also served on the private equity investment committee of that fund manager and has
corporate finance and business turnaround experience. He currently practices in the area of strategic
management. Stephen is chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and also the Social & Ethics Committee.
He is also a member of the Remuneration Committee.
Stephen is 61 years old
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