By Nico van Burick
The Land Bank is without a board after the previous board’s term expired on 7 June and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has not yet announced a new board.
When contacted, the National Treasury confirmed board appointments are still in the process of being finalised. The Treasury says once the appointments have been approved by the cabinet, the names will be announced.
The previous board’s term initially ended in December 2024, but was then extended to 7 June 2025.
The Land Bank itself did not want to comment on the situation and only said the bank itself is not involved in the appointment of a board.
The parliamentary committee on agriculture was earlier asked by Godongwana, among others, to submit nominations for board members. The nominations had to include supporting documents, such as proof of qualifications, a signed letter from the candidate that the nomination is accepted and a motivation letter from those nominating him. The nominations were requested on 9 May and members of the committee had until 27 May to propose candidates.
Some of the skills required include experience and knowledge of finance, agriculture, research, rural development and auditing.
The committee’s role is only to propose nominees and not to determine who will serve on the board. That is Godongwana’s job.
At the committee’s meeting on 27 May, it was decided to submit the names of 10 candidates. The committee also decided to request a formal meeting with the minister and other relevant committees to review the Land Bank legislation and the board’s appointment process.
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