Page 75 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

The Group CEO of SLG economic reform to stimulate growth.” However, he
added that all of this is happening in the context of a
KOSINATHI SOLOMON is Group CEO general decline in the quality of political and business
of SLG, the second largest gas trader in leadership.
southern Africa. Nkosinathi is a seasoned
N executive with international experience Solomon said that the highlight of his career was an
of 15 years in oil and gas and five years in financial international experience working for BP Plc in London
services. His oil and gas career started as a Caltex (UK) and the opportunities he has had to collaborate
Refinery Process Engineer to BP Africa Head of Supply with BP colleagues in countries such as USA, Australia,
and Trading. In between, he spent three years at BP Singapore, China, Mexico, and various African
Head Office in London doing Structured Finance, countries. He said that the international exposure
Strategy, and Planning. His financial services career provided him with a global perspective of business.
culminated in being Chief Operating Officer of Absa SLG is currently in the middle of expanding its
Life Assurance Company. He holds a MBA (cum laude) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Umbogintwini
and B.Sc. Chemical Engineering both from UCT. Durban. “CNG enables an innovative distribution
Solomon said that he finds the management and channel to deliver bulk gas to distances of up to 150
leadership challenge involved in running a business kilometres from a gas source. CNG opens up new
invigorating. He said, “This visceral love for business markets for gas and creates a new organisational
means that I can tackle each day with genuine passion capability within our firm. Given the gas distribution
and enthusiasm. I think one of my unique strengths is infrastructural challenges South Africa faces, this
the combination of strategic thinking and operational project has a long-term strategic value for South
effectiveness. In my experience, you either are a Africa,” said Solomon.
good strategist or a competent operator, never both. He commented further that we urgently need the
So, the fact that I have a proven track-record of this private sector, the government, trade unions and the
ambidexterity allows me to add more value to my unemployed to work together to restore our tattered
organisation.” He added that growing up in South social capital. Solomon said, “I think overregulation
Africa and working for multinational corporations and corruption are undermining efforts to grow the
has imbued him with the necessary skills to handle economy. We need the government to step back from
diversity and stakeholders. micromanaging the economy and business leaders to
In reference to his leadership style Solomon said that take more responsibility for transforming the economy.
he views consultation as an essential component of South Africa still has immense potential, but it is crying
decision-making because it enrols others and reduces out for quality leadership.”
the probability of erroneous decisions. He added, “My He commented further that we urgently need the
leadership style is to consult widely with a bias for private sector, the government, trade unions and the
decisiveness.” unemployed to work together to restore our tattered
Talking about the challenges that he has faced social capital. Solomon said, “I think overregulation
in his professional journey, Solomon said that like and corruption are undermining efforts to grow the
most Black South Africans of his generation, his first economy. We need the government to step back from
challenge was the lack of access to quality education. micromanaging the economy and business leaders to
He commented, “Now, I think the country is grappling take more responsibility for transforming the economy.
with the transformation of the economy to increase South Africa still has immense potential, but it is crying
participation by Black people as well as structural out for quality leadership.”

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