Celebrating the Chair of Council Induction - Ms Emma Mashilwane
On Wednesday 26 February 2025, we gathered in the Chapel to celebrate the official induction of our new Chair of Council, Mrs Emma Mashilwane. It was an auspicious and moving ceremony, led by Bishop Faith Whitby of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Council Members, our Chaplains, representatives of our College Executive, friends, family and students from our Girls' Preparatory as well as student leadership representatives from each of our schools gathered in the Chapel, the heart of our College, to officially welcome and induct Ms Emma Mashilwane as the 9th Chair of Council of St Stithians College.
The morning began with joyful music as the Girls' Preparatory Nonyani Senior Choir treated the congregation to a rendition of "Rise Up" by Andra Day, lead by Miss Masechaba Phakela (Choir Conductor) and Mrs Bronwyn Raaths (Choir Accompanist). This inspiring and appropriate song set the tone for what was a meaningful and moving service. Our Rector, Mrs Celeste Gilardi officially introduced our new Chair of Council to the audience by stating, "Bishop Faith Whitby, council members, staff and members of the St Stithians family, I introduce to you Ms. Emma Mashilwane, who has been appointed to serve as the Chair of the Council of St Stithians College". This took us into the formal proceedings of the induction in which Bishop Whitby highlighted the promises of the Chair of Council and Ms Mashilwane responded positively, receiving a blessing and a gift of a Bible and candle. This was followed by the signs of the office where the bishop and those assisting, surrounded Ms Mashilwane, extending their right hand of welcome to the chair of the council. This was a moving moment for Ms Mashilwane and for all gathered in the Chapel to witness, and captured the gravitas of the occasion.
Following the Charge by Bishop Faith Whitby, Ms Mashilwane shared her vision with those gathered, “Many of you know that I am a marathon runner. So please indulge me as I quote a legendary runner and Olympic medallist: Eliud Kipchoge. He said: 'The marathon is not about the legs; it's about the heart and mind'.
Growing and preserving Saints and its legacy is like running a marathon – we are working towards longer-term goals that will require us to push ourselves to be the best. That means that as much as we need the legs to run the marathon... what we really need is the heart and mind.
All of us – together – are that heart and mind. The love and intelligence that each of us pours into this community and into achieving our goals for Saints means we will be successful. So thank you to each of you for those contributions and thank you for continuing to give to Saints.
I would like to refer to one of my many anchors verses, Ecclesiasties 3 verse 1: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. This verse gives me hope that God controls timing and that we should indeed trust His plans.
So as I take the baton as the ninth Chair, it reminds me that God is in control. Although, I am nervous because this school is quite complex and there is a lot of work ahead of us. I know I am not alone.I am surrounded by immense skills and deep expertise through Council, the various Council committees and EXCO. By God’s grace I have no doubt that together we can run this marathon and achieve many of the goals that we have set and the strategies that will shape our future.
We must never forget that our biggest stakeholders are the students and therefore, whatever we do must be in the best interests of our children. So I extend my thanks to the families that trust us with their children and the students that make Saints what it is.
My promise to all of you in this community is that we are running this marathon together. Together we have all the heart and mind needed to help us reach the finish line and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Thank you One and All.”
With formalities completed and having sung the College song, all present were invited to enjoy refreshments in the Boys' College staff room and to celebrate this highlight event. Our College is privileged to welcome Ms Mashilwane as the 9th Chair of Council and are blessed to have her visionary leadership, insightful knowledge and experience guiding our College.
We #OneAndAll wish her all the best.
Introduction of the Chair of Council as per the Rector's Term 1 2025 Welcome Letter
The Chair of Council plays a vital role in the governance of our College. This is not an appointment that is made lightly. Thus, finding a successor to Mrs Langa-Royds was undertaken by the Council’s Governance and Nominations Committee, chaired by Mr Charles Nupen. The committee followed a thorough and rigorous process in appointing the new Chair of Council.
I am delighted to share that Ms Emma Mashilwane has been appointed as the new Chair of the St Stithians College Council effective January 2025. We are privileged to appoint someone with such an impressive and extensive Curriculum Vitae and who has a passion for the College.
Ms Mashilwane has been a Saints parent since 2018 and has held various leadership roles across the College. She was initially appointed to the Council as a representative of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA). She has been very active within the MCSA, having been previously involved as Treasurer of the Bryanston Methodist Society on a volunteer basis. In 2020, she joined the College Finance Committee (FinComm) and was appointed Chair of the Committee in 2022. She served as Deputy Chair of Council from 2022 – a role through which she gained further insight into the inner workings of the College and the Council. She worked closely with Mrs Langa-Royds and thus Ms Mashilwane understands the many nuances of our complex organisation. As Deputy Chair she attended the Governance & Nominations Committee, People & Talent Committee and the Planning and Development Committee meetings. Her knowledge of these committees and their responsibilities means that she has a broad understanding of these key committees in addition to FinComm. Ms Mashilwane has been Acting Chair of Council since June 2024 which afforded her opportunities to further deepen working relationships with all key stakeholders including the Church, the Old Stithian Association (OSA) and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).
Furthermore, Ms Mashilwane is a dedicated and accomplished professional. She is the co-founder and CEO of Masa Auditors, a boutique audit firm providing external audit, internal audit and advisory services. She is a seasoned chartered accountant and is a member of both the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and the Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors (IRBA), She holds the following qualifications:
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Advanced Diploma in Auditing (APT)
Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BCom Honours/ CTA)
Bachelor of Accounting Science (B. Compt)
GIBS Global Executive Development Programme
Banking Board Leadership Programme (GIBS)
Ms Mashilwane is also a respected and experienced executive leader and board member, currently servicing as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of Vector Logistics, Clientele Limited and Tiger Brands Limited. In addition, she is the chairperson of the Social, Ethics & Sustainability Committees of Tiger Brands and Clientele as well as a member of the Audit and Risk Committees of both organisations. Previously, she was the Lead Independent Director of Tiger Brands and chaired the Audit Committee. In addition, she previously served as a member of the boards of Capitec Bank Limited, Famous Brands Limited, Murray & Roberts and Total Coal South Africa where she gained experience serving on Investment, Remuneration, Nomination & Governance Committees.
Ms Mashilwane has served the College with dedication and integrity. It is clear that she understands the needs of the College as evidenced by her support of FinComm in its key function of developing and enabling the College vison and strategy.
We have no doubt that Ms Mashilwane’s visionary leadership, insightful knowledge and experience in successful organisations will contribute towards the continued success of the College.
#InspiringExcellence #MakingAWorldOfDifference #FamilyOfSchools #SchoolForFamily #SttonerOneAndAll #HappyFulfilment #Legacy
