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New FISA chairperson and two new regional chairpersons take office

At the FISA annual general meeting (AGM) on 15 March 2023 in Cape Town the term of office of the FISA chairperson for the last two years, Mr Ian Brink, came to an end. At a council meeting after the AGM, Dr Eben Nel was elected as chairperson for the next two years. Eben is a nationally elected councillor since 2020 and was a regional councillor as chairperson of the Eastern Cape Region since 2014. He served as vice-chairperson of FISA from 2015 to 2018, and as chairperson from 2018 to 2021.

Ms Penny du Plessis was re-elected FISA vice-chairperson for another year, after which she will reach the end of her term after having served the maximum of three years in succession in this position.

One nationally elected councillor reaches the end of a three year term by rotation at every AGM. This year Ms Angélique Krügel reached the end of her term. The sitting councillor is deemed to be nominated for re-election unless such councillor in writing notifies the FISA CEO otherwise. As Angélique did not do so and no other person was nominated during the nomination period, she was re-elected unopposed for a further three years.

Regional elections were held during February and the elected chairpersons in three regions started their terms of office of two years at the conclusion of the 2023 AGM on 15 March 2023.

In the Gauteng region, Ms Penny du Plessis was re-elected as chairperson for the next two years and Ms Hanna Marais was elected vice-chairperson.

In the KwaZulu-Natal region, Ms Rumana Mahomed was elected chairperson in the place of Ms Carmen Venter, whose term came to an end, while Mr Daniel Marsh was elected vice-chairperson in Ms Mahomed’s place.

In the Central region, Mr Rynoe Smith was re-elected as chairperson, while Dr Rika van Zyl was elected vice-chairperson in the place of Ms Henda Kleingeld whose term came to an end.

Because of the resignation of Mr Ian Brink as chairperson of the Northern region, an election had to be held in that region for a term of one year to complete the two year term for which Ian was originally elected in 2022. At an election meeting in February 2022, Mr Ricky Opperman-Knipe was elected chairperson, while Ms Marietjie Strauss was elected as vice-chairperson.