Knife Capital founding partner Keet van Zyl is one of four new directors added to the board of investment industry body and public policy advocate the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA).
Joining van Zyl, whose company Knife Capital launched its ZAR100 million (US$6.4 million) KNF Ventures fund last year and earlier this month announced it was expanding to London, on the SAVCA board are Ashburton Fund Managers head of private equity Juan Coetzer, Firebird Fund Managers chief executive officer (CEO) Cathy Goddard, and MyGrowthFund CEO Vusi Thembekwayo.
“It is an honour to have such a collective of industry experience represented on our board,” said SAVCA CEO Tanya van Lill. “As SAVCA approaches its 20-year milestone, it is important that we continue to showcase our industry’s ability to be agile and adapt in the face of increasing market dynamism. With the new additions to our board, we are confident that we will continue to effectively explore past lessons, and assess future opportunities to drive accelerated growth in Southern Africa’s venture capital and private equity sector.”
Dave Stadler, outgoing chairman of the SAVCA board and CEO of Paean Private Equity, said each new board member brought with them diverse experience and expertise in venture capital and private equity.
“This includes in-depth cross-industry and entrepreneurial knowledge, but what is most critical is their passion for the industry,” he said.
The appointment of four new directors expands the SAVCA board from 11 to 13. Dave Stadler, and Siyabonga Nhlumayo, the treasurer of the SAVCA board and partner at Medu Capital, will be stepping down as directors.
“SAVCA would like to thank Dave and Siya for their hard work and commitment to the SAVCA board and their continuous support for the SAVCA executive team. Each of them has dedicated their time and efforts to help grow SAVCA and its offerings over the years and have always had the best interest of the industry at heart,” said van Lill.
