The Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) has welcomed Anne Vilas as its first female chairperson and president. Vilas is a passionate cricket supporter.
Her three sons and brother play the game at various professional, local and international levels. She has worked in the sports industry for more than 30 years, particularly on the marketing of the GM brand with professional cricketers.
“I am extremely humbled to be elected as the first woman president and chairperson of CGL and look forward to working with my two vice-presidents, Ebrahim Lambat and Batlhalefeng ‘Lucky’ Lesele, my lead independent director Ziyanda Ngcobo and all the board of directors.”
She added she looks forward to growing cricket in the province, especially in townships and rural areas. “We understand that there are currently more pressing Covid-19 challenges and will not deter from those. As CGL, we are working with various organisations like Cricket South Africa; the Department of Health; Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and Sascoc amongst others to ensure the safe return of our staff, clients and service providers… to training and play.”
A board of directors was also elected along with Vilas’ appointment.
Independent directors include:
- Professor Garth Le Pere (independent)
- Zwelithini Vilakazi (independent)
- Vikash Mathura (independent)
- Ziyanda Ngcobo (lead independent)
- Dr Noma Nyembo (independent)
- Ruqshana Hassan (alternate independent)
The full CGL board is thus:
- Jono-Leaf-Wright (CEO/ex officio),
- Anne Vilas (non-independent, chairperson and president),
- Ebrahim Lambat (non-independent, vice-president), Batlhalefeng ‘Lucky’ Lesele (non-independent, vice-president),
- Mark Patterson (non-independent), Yasin Manack (non-independent), Lunga Kupiso (non-independent), Earl Glennistor (non-independent),
- Vikash Mathura (independent), Dr Noma Nyembo (independent), Zwelithini Vilakazi (independent), Ziyanda Ngcobo (lead independent), Prof Garth Le Pere (independent), Dean Laing (alternate non-independent), Mike Sacher (alternate non-independent), Koketso Nthimbani (alternate non-independent) and Ruqshana Hassan (alternate independent).
Former CGL president and chairperson, Jack Madiseng said, “It is with great excitement to hear of the appointment of Anne Vilas as the new president of CGL. This is history in the making at CGL to have its first female president. I am absolutely chuffed, and I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the board for her selection.”
