Company Secretary (Freelance) - Vodacom South Africa - Midrand
(2014-10)
- Provided comprehensive company secretarial support to the primary South African entity and all its subsidiaries, orchestrating governance across a diverse spectrum of entities.
- Maintained all statutory records in both digital and hard copy formats, including registers of directors, shareholders, share capital, company registration certificates, auditors, and public officer information.
- Filed annual returns to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and managed all CIPC updates and regulatory submissions, ensuring 100% compliance with filing deadlines.
- Documented minutes for Board, Audit, Social & Ethics, and Trust meetings for all entities, delivering meticulously prepared minutes within a 24-hour turnaround time.
- Prepared and distributed board packs and Annual General Meeting (AGM) notices for all subsidiary companies, ensuring appropriate execution and stakeholder awareness.
- Supported the Finance Team in obtaining timely approval, circulation, and execution of annual financial statements and requisite returns.
- Formulated resolutions for declaring dividends and financial assistance for subsidiary companies in strict adherence to the Companies Act.
- Developed board charters and robust governance frameworks to significantly strengthen organisational governance structures.
- Advised directors on their fiduciary duties and obligations, ensuring they operated within their legal scope and parameters.
- Served as the custodian for subsidiary company agreements and group organogram structures.
- Facilitated document preparation and provided essential support for mergers and acquisitions processes.
- Managed alterations to Trust Deeds and the appointment and resignation of Trustees, applying specialised expertise in the Trust Property Control Act.
- Engaged with the legal team, auditors, financial team, and senior Directors to ensure seamless cross-functional collaboration and project success.
Company Secretary (Freelance) - Supabets (Pty) Ltd - Ilocp
(2015-03 - 2024-06)
- Managed the preparation and administration of property contracts, ensuring legal accuracy and full compliance.
- Ensured complete adherence to Gambling Board regulations across all company operations.
- Maintained statutory records, prepared board and shareholder resolutions, and managed annual returns and all regulatory filings.
- Provided expert advice to the Board on corporate governance matters and ensured strict compliance with all applicable legislation.
- Coordinated meetings and oversaw all essential company secretarial administration functions.
Company Secretary - Etv Pty Ltd - Hyde Park
(2013-05 - 2014-09)
- Administered company secretarial responsibilities for 25 entities, meticulously organising meetings and accurately recording minutes for Board, Social & Ethics, Exco, and Audit Committee sessions.
- Coordinated the timely preparation and distribution of comprehensive Board and Committee packs and reports to relevant stakeholders in close consultation with the Chairperson and CEO.
- Prepared and circulated minutes and resolutions for the Annual General Meetings of 25 companies, meticulously documenting and tracking action items, and distributing documents for signature by local and international directors and shareholders.
- Updated and maintained directors' declarations of interest in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
- Delivered governance advice and critical support to the Chairperson and CEO, ensuring the effective management of Board and Committee meetings.
- Kept the Board fully informed of current and emerging legislative developments and their potential implications for the organisation.
- Served as the primary communication channel for directors, fostering smooth information flow between all stakeholders.
- Ensured compliance with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), Protection of Personal Information (POPI), and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) requirements on an annual basis, maintaining all relevant records.
- Maintained and managed delegated authorities, advising management on appropriate authority limits and ensuring alignment with the overall group structure.
- Assisted in the drafting and updating of essential policies, including Board and Committee terms of reference.
- Maintained accurate company information sheets and an up-to-date schedule of group and company structures.
- Executed ad hoc special projects and provided secretarial and administrative support in alignment with client requirements and specifications.
- Coordinated all logistical and catering arrangements for Board and Committee meetings.
- Maintained precise records of Board proceedings, resolutions, and decisions in strict accordance with statutory obligations.
Company Secretary - Anglo American Inyosi Coal - Johannesburg
(2010-07 - 2013-03)
- Orchestrated the preparation of meeting agendas, minutes, and supporting documents in collaboration with personal assistants, gathered and distributed documents to attendees, and obtained critical input and approval from senior management.
- Produced accurate and comprehensive meeting minutes with clearly delineated action items and ensured diligent follow-up on assigned tasks.
- Guaranteed compliance with competition law during meetings and accurately reflected all relevant matters in the meeting minutes.
- Maintained absolute confidentiality of minutes and all related documentation at all times.
- Ensured compliance with the Companies Act 2008 and applicable legislation for Anglo American joint ventures and subsidiaries, including foreign entities based in London.
- Oversaw the submission of company registration documents and filings with CIPC.
- Coordinated director and officer training sessions on the requirements of the Companies Act 2008.
- Collaborated closely with the Anglo Legal Department and external attorneys to implement necessary changes for compliance with the new Companies Act.
- Liaised effectively with the Group Company Secretarial Department on corporate secretarial matters across Anglo American PLC.
- Administered secretarial and compliance functions for three Environmental Rehabilitation Trusts.
- Prepared meeting agendas, minutes, and associated documents, ensuring strict adherence to Trust Deeds.
- Ensured proper submission of all Trust-related documentation to the Master of the High Court.
- Provided targeted training for Trustees and officers on relevant compliance matters.
- Maintained and updated delegation of authorities for Anglo American Thermal Coal, providing guidance to management on approval processes and limits.
- Verified that all documentation, including banking documents, was duly signed by authorised signatories and properly archived.
- Ensured agreements were thoroughly reviewed and approved by relevant departments (Legal, Finance, Forex, Technical) prior to execution.
- Oversaw the timely signing of documents for property transactions, ensuring all necessary approvals were obtained.
- Ensured the correct archiving of permanent and long-term agreements in compliance with legislation, including appropriate coding and destruction dates where applicable.
- Managed the rollout and ongoing compliance with key company policies, including the Business Integrity Policy, Competition Law Compliance, Cellphone Policy, and Pool Car Policy.
- Maintained relevant compliance registers and collaborated with Legal, HR, and Corporate divisions on training, policy adherence, and compliance across the head office, mines, and service departments.
- Monitored and controlled costs for tasks within Anglo American Thermal Coal, ensuring strict alignment with budgetary constraints.
- Identified and implemented effective cost-saving measures, particularly concerning printing, stationery, and office supplies.
- Approved expenditures in accordance with budgetary authorisation limits.
Company Secretary - Sun International Limited - Sandton
(2002-11 - 2010-06)
- Ensured strict adherence to corporate governance and statutory requirements for all dormant and active companies, encompassing both local and foreign entities.
- Filed all statutory forms, coordinated the preparation and approval of annual reports, and compiled essential information and statutory documentation for inclusion in annual reports.
- Prepared and distributed board resolutions, and drafted, prepared, and filed statutory documents for comprehensive company secretarial compliance.
- Processed quarterly directors' fee payments according to timetables approved by the responsible group company secretary.
- Maintained an up-to-date year-end auditors' list.
- Collaborated with the group company secretary, tax managers, tax advisors, and financial managers to ensure each company fulfilled its tax obligations.
- Maintained and updated the register of guarantees and banking facilities across all Sun International group companies.
- Managed group bank account updates, including signatory changes and account opening/closing, liaising with First National Bank, Standard Bank, and ABSA for transaction coordination.
- Reviewed government gazettes daily to identify relevant statutory information and communicated critical updates to appropriate stakeholders.
- Registered and renewed defensive names with CIPC and meticulously maintained a comprehensive control list.
- Supported the reconciliation of the CIPC account in close coordination with the Accounts Department.
- Prepared and lodged annual returns for private and public companies with CIPC; prepared meeting agendas, minutes, and board packs, and attended quarterly Board meetings.
- Drafted and circulated AGM minutes and resolutions to Board members for their signature.
- Assisted in the preparation of annual financial statements for all dormant and active companies.
- Stayed current with company policies and procedures and assisted in drafting new policies as required.
Company Secretary Assistant - HJ Venter Accountants & Auditors - Fairlands
(1990-01 - 2002-10)
- Assisted in the preparation, review, and filing of statutory documents with regulatory authorities, ensuring adherence to relevant laws.
- Supported the organisation of Board and Committee meetings, including the preparation of agendas, distribution of meeting materials, and minute-taking.
- Aided in the implementation and maintenance of corporate governance practices and policies, ensuring alignment with industry standards.
- Managed records of Board resolutions, minutes, and Company registers, ensuring all documentation was accurate and current.
- Monitored compliance with regulatory requirements and alerted senior management to key filing deadlines.
- Supported communication with Board members, shareholders, and external legal counsel, facilitating smooth stakeholder interactions.
- Assisted in drafting reports and documents related to governance, risk, and compliance for both internal and external use.
