Johannesburg - Controversial former government spindoctor Jimmy Manyi looks set to be appointed as a senior manager at Rand Water, a few weeks after he failed to make the grade for the vacant position of Transport Department director-general.
Manyi will become Rand Water’s strategy general manager and is apparently mooted to be the water utility’s chief executive to replace the incumbent, Percy Sechemane.
Rand Water general managers earn between R1.7 million and R2.6m a year.
The Sunday Independent has reliably learnt that Manyi submitted his CV as one of the candidates to replace former transport director-general George Mahlalela, whose contract was not renewed earlier this year.
However, the former Black Management Forum (BMF) president did not make the shortlist of candidates interviewed for the position.
“I have no idea of what you’re talking about,” he said when asked about his unsuccessful application for the transport director-general position.
However, Transport Department spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso said: “The recruitment process is ongoing. We can, however, confirm that Mr Manyi was neither short-listed nor interviewed.”
Manyi was previously labour director-general and Government Communication and Information System chief executive, through which he doubled as cabinet spokesman.
He referred enquiries on his appointment to Rand Water.
Rand Water has refused to answer questions on Manyi’s appointment, saying it would make an announcement tomorrow, according to its spokesman, Justice Mohale.
The 49-year-old caused a stir last year when he told motorists e-tolls were not just a bad dream, but a reality. “It’s going to happen. No one should have any illusion whatsoever that this thing is going to go away. It’s a fact of life and it’s going to happen,” Manyi said.
Had his application been successful, he would have been at the helm of the department responsible for e-tolls.
Manyi is due to launch the Progressive Professionals Forum, which he said would be finalised today. “We’re busy consulting but not yet recruiting. The work is ongoing and we’re making very good progress,” he said. Manyi said he expected to launch the forum not later than next month.
He described claims that he was breaking away from the BMF as “mischievous”. “I’ve always been a disciplined, card-carrying and active member of the BMF. I’ll be a member until I die,” Manyi said.
He said his forum would play a different role compared with the BMF. “BMF made us, we’re where we’re because of the BMF.”
The forum would be a diverse group including Muslim, Jewish, coloured, African and Indian communities, according to Manyi.
He promised a forum representative of South Africa.
“We’ll be encouraging our members to be active in the BMF, Black Lawyers Association and the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa,” Manyi said.
Manyi is also a former Tiger Brands corporate affairs executive and was BMF president for six years. He was the brains behind the launch of the government newspaper, Vuk’uzenzele, in 2011. The tabloid, which has a print run of nearly two million copies, now counts among its subscribers ministers, deputy ministers and directors-general.
Sunday Independent