Kgalema Motlanthe, the third President of South Africa — from Septe. 25, 2008 to May 9, 2009 — following Thabo Mbeki’s resignation, is a prominent figure in both corporate and political arenas in South Africa and across Africa.
Raised in Soweto in the former Transvaal after his family was forcibly removed from Alexandra, Motlanthe, 74, gained international recognition for his anti-apartheid activism, enduring a decade of imprisonment on Robben Island, alongside Nelson Mandela.
Upon his release in 1987, Motlanthe joined the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), later becoming its general secretary. His tenure saw the establishment of the Mineworkers Investment Company, wholly-owned by the NUM, and dedicated to conflict-free investments.
Motlanthe played a pivotal role in founding the Mineworkers Development Agency, addressing the needs of retrenched miners and their families, including bursaries and skills training initiatives. Before his presidency, Motlanthe was a member of parliament and minister under Mbeki. He then held the position of deputy president from 2009 to 2014.
Since he retired from politics, Motlanthe has assumed key roles in the corporate world. He chairs Seasoned Capital, a private equity firm dedicated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and high-value traditional industries. He also sits on the board of Ivanhoe Mines, a Canadian mining company with significant Southern African projects, and leads the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Motlanthe’s influence extends to several organizations, and here are five prominent ones where he holds substantial ownership or influential board positions:
- Motlanthe Foundation
Motlanthe established the Motlanthe Foundation in 2018, following his exit from politics. As the chairman of this prominent non-governmental organization, his vision encompasses socioeconomic development, access to knowledge and education, and human rights and social inclusion in both South Africa and across the broader African continent. The Motlanthe Foundation is dedicated to a wide range of public benefit activities, including conflict resolution, the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the provision of care for preschool-age children.
Motlanthe serves as the chairman of Seasoned Capital, a private equity firm deeply invested in high-growth sectors aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as well as traditional industries with substantial untapped potential. Seasoned Capital actively seeks investment opportunities both within South Africa and internationally, continuously expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions.
In January 2021, Motlanthe assumed a board role at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Nelson Mandela in 1999. This foundation is committed to advancing Mandela’s enduring vision of freedom and equality for all. It achieves this mission by mobilizing the legacy of Nelson Mandela, providing public access to invaluable information about his life and times, and fostering dialogues on pressing social issues.
Motlanthe holds the role of independent director and member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at Ivanhoe Mines, a prominent Canadian mining company. Ivanhoe Mines is at the forefront of discovering, developing, and producing vital resources essential for a sustainable, low-carbon future. With a diversified portfolio of tier-one assets, the company provides exposure to critical metals such as copper, zinc, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and other environmentally-friendly metals. Motlanthe assumed his role as an Ivanhoe Mines Director in April 2018 and holds a minority stake in the company.
Motlanthe also contributes as a trustee of The Liliesleaf Trust UK (TLTU), a charitable organization established in 2018. This trust is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of Britain’s pivotal role in the international social movement to end apartheid in Southern Africa. TLTU connects the lessons from this historic movement — one of the most significant Black-led histories of the 20th century — to fulfill its mission of empowering communities today through engagement with the heritage of the anti-apartheid movement in Britain. By exploring themes of solidarity, equality, anti-racism, and civic participation, the trust strives to drive positive change in the world.
