Bheki
Khumalo

About

A Career at the Intersection of Power & Purpose

Bheki Khumalo is the Vice President of Government Relations at Anglo American South Africa—a role that draws on nearly four decades of experience spanning civic leadership, presidential communications, multinational corporations, and national government across education, minerals, and energy.

Bheki’s public service career began in local government, where he served as a councilor and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee (EXCO) for the Tembisa-Kempton Park Municipal Council from 1995 to 1998. During this period, he also chaired the council’s Electricity and Civil Engineering sub-committees. He simultaneously served as a councilor on the Kyalami Metropolitan Municipality until 1998.

He entered the private sector in 1996 at Energy Measurements Limited (EML)—a joint venture between Siemens and Spescom—working as a Sales Support Specialist for prepaid electricity meters. Shortly after, Bheki transitioned to national government, serving as Education Spokesperson for Ministers Sibusiso Bengu and Kader Asmal (1998–2001), before being appointed Spokesperson for President Thabo Mbeki (2001–2005).

From 2005 to 2006, Bheki returned to the private sector as Executive Director for Corporate Affairs and Major Events at Siemens South Africa. He then joined Sasol as Global Group Executive of Corporate Affairs, BEE, and Government Relations (2007–2008), serving on the Global Group Executive Committee (GEC) and the boards of several subsidiaries, including among others gas, synfuels, mining, ChemCity, oil, and Infrachem.

From April 2008 to November 2011, Bheki served as Head of Communications for the Department of Minerals and Energy at Level 15, this post being the level equivalent of a deputy director general. During his tenure, the Minister appointed him Chairman of the Mining and Minerals Development Board, a position he held from 2010 to 2014.

In 2011, Bheki was appointed Head of Corporate Affairs and Executive Committee member at Anglo American Coal, while also serving on the board of the Anglo American Inyosi Trust. Khumalo’s expanded role then covered mining rights and property, where he lead a team of lawyers and specialists who then managed that area. Bheki was then appointed into the Anglo American south African group role as his Head of Government Relations at Anglo American South Africa, based in the office of the Chairman of the South African Management Board.

His extensive board service includes the SABC, South African Tourism, the Black Management Forum, and the Mafikeng Industrial Development Zone (MIDZ), which he chaired as well as the North West Development Corporation from 2007 to 2016. He currently serves on the Board of the National Business Initiative (NBI).

Bheki holds a BA, BA Honours, and Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Fort Hare (1988-1992). Bheki has also completed executive development program at the Wits Business School (2010-2011). He also completed an advanced social management programme offered jointly by the Universities of Cambridge and the University of Queensland respectively.

Bheki was vice president as well president of the student representative council and served on the university senate and council respectively at Fort Hare. Finally, khumalo has written chapters in three books as well written multiple articales and newsletters.