SAGCC Announces Newly & Re-Elected Board

Board of Directors:

• Ms. Simone Pohl (Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC - (ex officio – Executive Director)
• Mr. Jens Papperitz (B.Braun Medical (Pty) Ltd) - (SAGCC ex officio - Immediate Past President)
• Mr. Kay Schröder (WerthSchröder Inc.) (SAGCC Treasurer)
• Mr. Peter van Binsbergen (BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd) (SAGCC President)
• Mr. Franz-Peter Falke (Falke KGaA) (SAGCC Vice President)
• Ms. Saloshni Pillay (Deutsche Bank AG) (SAGCC Deputy President)
• Ms. Mpho Toolo (Dr Oetker South Africa (Pty) Ltd) (SAGCC Add. Director)
• Mr. Dieter Sommer (Rödl & Partner Inc.). (SAGCC Add. Director) [newly elected]

Advisory Board:

• Mr. Jan Aichinger (MAN Automotive South Africa (Pty) Ltd) [newly elected]
• Sabine Dall’Omo (Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa (Pty) Ltd)
• Ghitesh Deva (Forvis Mazars Support Services (Pty) Ltd
• Oliver Drews (Clifftop Colony Capital Partners (Pty) Ltd)
• Ralf Franke (Logcoat (Pty) Ltd
• Stefan Hippler (Hope Cape Town Trust)
• Abey Kgotle (Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited)
• Rene Koinzack (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
• Dieter Kovar (Schauenburg International – Africa Group)
• Jorge Levinson (Bayer Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd)
• Sven Moeller (Bow Wave Advisory Group (Pty) Ltd)
• Thabo Molekoa (Siemens Energy (Pty) Ltd)
• Angela Naumann-Daun (Chatroom Brand Marketing and Communications (Pty) Ltd)
• Mr. Thorsten Ronge (SMA Solar Technology South Africa (Pty) Ltd) [newly elected)
• Thomas Schaef (GIZ South Africa, Lesotho and eSwathini)
• Markus Thill (Robert Bosch (Pty) Ltd)
• Prof. em. Dr. Andre Thomashausen (Legesmundi) [re-elected]
• Sam Tsima (Cometsa GoC International (Pty) Ltd)
• Mr. Rudi van Niekerk (H&R South Africa (Pty) Ltd) [newly elected]
• Volker Werth (InterGest South Africa (Pty) Ltd)
• Mr. Boris Werner (KSB Pumps and Valves S.A. (Pty) Ltd) [newly elected]

Mr. Peter van Binsbergen, said during his Presidential speech of the 2024 report, “This report is intended to summarize the key highlights of our various chamber activities of 2024 – what a year it was! A year marked by significant changes and transitions, both for the region and for the Chamber.

The Chamber itself underwent significant changes over the past year's transformation. With new leadership, key additions to our team, and a renewed focus on advocacy and member engagement, we’ve aligned our priorities with the evolving needs of our stakeholders and laid the groundwork for future growth. Engagements with German and Southern African government representatives were particularly impactful over the past year, further reinforcing our joint commitment to addressing the challenges facing the business community.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, now Energy and to the DIHK for their ongoing support – both financial and strategic. Their backing continues to be instrumental in enabling the Chamber to deliver on its mission.

A big thank you to all our partners — GIZ, the political foundations, GTAI, and the [German Embassies] — for your continued collaboration. Our special thanks go to Ambassador Andreas Peschke, Deputy Ambassador Enrico Brandt, and Sarah Zuegel for their outstanding support and cooperation. We also extend our appreciation to the South African Embassy in Germany for their valuable support throughout the year.

To our Advisory Board and Directorate, thank you for your guidance, support, and time over the past year – we know you are all busy and appreciate your commitment. And to the Chamber’s management and staff – your commitment, resilience, and drive whilst navigating various changes have not gone unnoticed. You’ve made an impact, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.

Most importantly, to all our members and partners – thank you. Your trust, collaboration and active engagement are what make this Chamber thrive; you are the backbone and life of this organization!

Now as we continue to look ahead to the second half of 2025, we anticipate a full second-half-year with many minister visits as the G20 and the B20 approach. I am sure this year will still bring both opportunities and challenges across our sectors. But with continued partnership and a spirit of collaboration, I have no doubt we’ll rise to meet them – together.”

Media Contact:

Ms. Nikitta Vogl
Head of Competence Centre Events, Marketing and Membership
nvogl@germanchamber.co.za