2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Southern Sun Hotel, Pretoria

A Successful Elective AGM for Umvuzo Health.

The Umvuzo Health Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Friday, 24 June 2022 at the Southern Sun Hotel in Arcadia, Pretoria. The 18th edition of the AGM was an elective one where members could cast votes for their preferred Board of Trustee members. Voting booths were set up at the event so that newly elected officials could be voted in and welcomed after the meeting’s agenda and reports.

Chairperson, Mr Frikkie Nqume, welcomed all present before proceedings got underway. Nqume remarked on the outstanding turnout from members and the enthusiasm of having an in-person, ‘traditional’ AGM since COVID-19 moved many events to the online space. The meeting saw close to 280 delegates in attendance to oversee this year’s Agenda and vote on the business of the Scheme.

Principal Officer, Hugo Van Zyl, then welcomed members and celebrated the turnout and how the AGM can promote steady communication between members and Board members. “You should feel at home here, this is your business, this is your Scheme,” Van Zyl said. The meeting held for a moment’s silence for the passing of Mr Nkosi, former Chairperson of the Board, as well as all the lives lost and affected by the pandemic.

Steady Growth for Umvuzo

The Principal Officer highlighted several of the Scheme’s achievements and celebrated the dedicated management of the team for the success they’ve seen. Van Zyl underscored the Scheme’s 45,000 principal members as well as the 82,000 beneficiaries and the incredible growth the Scheme has seen – even during the uncertain times since 2020’s pandemic and lockdown measures. Umvuzo membership and reserves have kept growing. And while COVID-19 is still with the country, Umvuzo is proud to have distributed vaccinations to around 18,000 members in the fight against COVID-19.

Mr Van Zyl put emphasis on the good report from the last year and went through the minutes of the previous meeting, the annual report overview as well as the auditors’ report.

Mr Jared Barnard from Ransome Rossouw Auditors was welcomed to the podium to present audit findings, challenges and successes. Barnard explained Umvuzo’s incredible 43% solvency ratio, and healthy financial position and thanked the Board for their ongoing assistance and unrestricted access to review. Independence was confirmed along with an unmodified clean audit. Voting took place to confirm the acceptance of financials which were 100% approved by all. Ransome Rossouw Auditors were then confirmed and appointed to be retained as the new auditors for the upcoming year.

The rest of this year’s agenda was attended to – confirming the remuneration of the Board and a special note of thanks to the then-sitting Board for their hard work. Van Zyl said, “Your contribution here is noted and we thank you for your dedication to growth.”

After a short interval, the meeting convened to announce the results of the election for a Board of Trustees, who were to convene immediately after the AGM conclusion.

Results: The elected Board of Trustee members

Mr. M Gugushe (Sibanye Stillwater)
Mr. MM Kiet (Assmang Khumani)
Ms. SS Mabuza (Simba PepsiCo)
Mr SS Mokoena (Harmony)
Mr WM Mokoena (SANPARKS)
Mr. TJ Molete (Sibanye Stillwater)
Mr. SM Mphuti (APSA)
Mr. MF Nqume (Kumba Resources)
Mr. SS Simbambo (SANPARKS)
Mr. JL Tantsi (Impala Platinum)

In closing, Principal Officer Hugo Van Zyl thanked the good work from the service team and other stakeholders. Van Zyl noted the Scheme’s ability to sustain and grow, having not had a deficit or interim increase in the latest year’s results. The new Board of Trustees were welcomed and congratulated on their new appointments and responsibilities.