Raised in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, Sanlam Chief Executive of Market Development and Santam Executive Head of Market Development, Temba Mvusi matriculated at Cowan High School, known for its active resistance to the apartheid system as well as for producing learners of high quality.
He has carved out a business career over a number of years, climbing steadily through the ranks of the broader investment, insurance and financial sector, to his current position as executive director at insurance giant Sanlam which he has occupied since December 2009. He is also a Board member of Sanlam Private Wealth, Sanlam Investment Management Holdings, Sanlam Investment Management, and Vulindlela Underwriting Managers. In addition, he serves as Chairman of lemas Financial Services.
Prior to his Sanlam appointments, he has held various positions in the private sector as well as government. Temba has anchored his business leadership journey on experience gained through his close involvement at CODESA, the multi-party negotiations forum that led to a democratic dispensation in South Africa and his appointment to the executive committee of the first Independent Electoral Commission in 1994.
Founded on his strong belief in broad-based economic empowerment as the kernel for social advancement, Temba spearheaded the Ubuntu-Botho deal — a partnership between Sanlam and Patrice Motsepe — which has created more than R16-billion value for black economic shareholders. Between 60 to100 individuals in the Eastern Cape are beneficiaries of this deal, along with trade unions, church groupings and community organisations. This has started the establishment of a stronger economic baseline in the Eastern Cape to roll back the frontiers of poverty.
Temba is passionate about education and believes that education can eradicate poverty by making people employable or able to start their own businesses. He continuously engages his fellow business leaders to become involved to make a difference in the lives of others. His life philosophy is that "it should never be a curse that you were born in a particular area. That is an apartheid legacy that we should eradicate with hard work and education."
To this day, he remains connected with Cowan High and is a key force in mobilising corporate social investment at the school. Through his ploughing-back programme, R600 000 has been raised for improvements at the school, including ablution facilities, classroom restoration and kitchen facilities.
Honouring his contribution to making the benefits of broad-based economic empowerment tangible in the Eastern Cape, and for his leadership success in the world of business, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is proud to present Temba Irvine Mvusi with the Council Prestige Award.