Wrap Text
Changes to the board of directors
Sappi Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 1936/008963/06
JSE share code: SAP
ISIN: ZAE000006284
("Sappi" or the "Company")
Changes to the board of directors
In terms of paragraph 6.71 (b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited (Listings
Requirements), Sappi shareholders are advised of the following changes to the board of
directors of Sappi (the “board”):
Mr Mike Fallon, appointed 01 September 2011, will retire from the board at the Annual General
Meeting (AGM) in 2027. Mr Fallon served as the Lead Independent Director and also as
Chairman of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. He also served as a
member of the Audit and Risk, Nomination and Governance and SETS Committees.
Mr Rob-Jan Renders, appointed 01 October 2015, will retire from the board at the AGM in
2027. Mr Renders served on the Audit and Risk and Human Resources and Compensation
Committees.
Dr Boni Mehlomakulu, appointed on 1 March 2017, will retire from the board at the AGM in
2027, following more than nine years of service. Dr Mehlomakulu served on the SETS and
Audit and Risk Committees.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Mr Nkululeko (Nkunku) Sowazi, Chairman, paid tribute to the
outgoing Lead Independent Director Mr Mike Fallon and to board members Mr Renders and
Dr Mehlomakulu. He extended the board’s gratitude to their contribution and support to the
Company. During their tenure they helped guide Sappi through the storms of Covid-19, the
repositioning of the Company away from graphic paper to growth segments including
dissolving wood pulp and packaging and speciality papers, including major expansion and
upgrade investments at our Saiccor and Somerset Mills, and more recently the response to
geopolitical disruptions.
Further to these changes, the board is pleased to announce the following appointments:
Ms Busisiwe Silwanyana CA (SA), will join the board as an Independent Non-executive
Director with effect from 04 September 2026.
Ms Silwanyana is the Founder and CEO of Laud Pulse, a bespoke African luxury clothing
brand. She has a strong background in banking, having spent 15 years across corporate,
investment, and business banking divisions. She also led the Africa regional financing arm of
a multinational original equipment manufacturer, funding healthcare technology projects.
She currently serves amongst others on JSE listed companies, Old Mutual Limited where she
is an Independent Non-executive Director and a member of the Audit, Risk and Actuarial
Committees and Stefanutti Stocks Holdings Limited where she is an Independent Non-
executive Director, Chair of the Social & Ethics Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk
Committee. She is also an Independent Non-executive Director of YeboYethu Investment (RF)
Ltd and Chair of their Audit & Risk Committee. She previously served on the boards of Finbond
Mutual Bank, AVI Ltd and AWCA Investment Holdings Ltd. Supporting professional
development and transformation, she has previously served on the SAICA Education
Committee and as a Director of the Thuthuka Education Upliftment Bursary Fund, an initiative
focused on advancing transformation within the auditing profession.
Mr Charles Brand will join the board as an Independent Non-executive Director with effect
from 04 September 2026.
Mr Brand, with an MSc in electrical engineering, had a 41-year career at Tetra Pak, a global
leader in food processing and packaging solutions, with a decade as a member of the
executive leadership team, the last four years (2021-2025) as Executive Vice President,
Processing Solutions and Equipment. Prior to this he served, inter alia, as President for Tetra
Pak Europe and Central Asia and as Executive Vice President, Product Management &
Commercial Operations. During his career he worked in and led areas including R&D, product
management, sales and marketing, sustainability and manufacturing. He also had full P&L
responsibility across postings in Europe, the USA, and Asia.
He has served as a board member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
(WBCSD Food & Agriculture); as industry chairman of the Carton Packaging Industry
Organisation in Taiwan; and as Chairman of the board and founding member of Food
Manufacturing Technologies Europe.
Commenting on the appointments, Mr Nkunku Solwazi said: “Ms Silwanyana and Mr Brand
collectively bring a wealth of board and global business experience, strengthening the Sappi
board further.”
The board would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms Silwanyana and Mr Brand to the
Sappi group.
Fit and Proper Assessment
Pursuant to paragraph 6.73 of the Listings Requirements, the board confirms that fit and proper
assessments, as contemplated in paragraph 5.6 of the Listings Requirements, including an
investigation into their backgrounds and independent verifications of qualifications, were
undertaken in respect of Ms Silwanyana and Mr Brand and that the board is satisfied with the
outcome thereof.
Integrity Declaration
In accordance with paragraph 6.74 of the Listings Requirements, the board confirms that there
are no positive statements or declarations to report in relation to the integrity information
contained in Ms Silwanyana and Mr Brand’s directors’ declarations.
04 September 2026
Sponsor:
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)
Date: 04/09/2026 11:19:00
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