Zambia’s only listed sugar manufacturing company has announced the appointment of Harriet K Katongo as its new Company Secretary after the position fell vacant on 30th September 2020.
“In accordance with Section 3.59(a) of the Lusaka Securities Exchange Listings Rules (“LuSE Listings Rules”), the Board of Directors (“the Board”) of Zambia Sugar PLC (“ZSUG” or “the Company”) wishes to announce the appointment of Harriet Kapekele-Katongo as Company Secretary effective 13th May 2021”, read the statement on SENS issued by the company’s Finance Director Raphael Chipoma who had until the announcement been performing the Board Secretary role in addition to looking after the financials.
Zambia Sugar’s choice for company secretary is both a combination of experience and expertise. According to the SENS announcement, “Harriet has been practicing law for over 15 years, both in private legal practice and as in-house Counsel”. She comes with experience of being a Company Secretary of another listed entity from her 10 years at Lafarge Holcim Zambia in the same role. Curiously enough, the hand over will be seamless as Raphael Chipoma sat in the same boardroom as colleagues during his tenure at the cement maker.
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Harriet, a ‘Masters in Law’ graduate of Kings College London, has until recently been Managing Partner at Celine Nair & Company, according to her LinkedIn biography.
This appointment signals the Board’s intent on ensuring only the best are hired for important roles at the company. “The Board wishes to congratulate Harriet Kapekele-Katongo on her appointment and looks forward to her contribution to the Company”, according to their SENS announcement.
At the 59th Annual General Meeting held virtually and at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka on 26th November 2020, a Final Dividend of 24 ngwee per share for the financial year ended 31st August 2020 was approved by the shareholders of Zambia Sugar Plc. Harriet will no doubt be the one to issue the approve statement from the Board on their 2021 performance.