Batseta, the non-profit organisation which focuses on the interests of principal officers, trustees and fund fiduciaries within the retirement industry, is delighted to announce that Musa Mabesa (ACCA) has joined its board as director as well as becoming chairman of the Asset Owners Forum South Africa (AOFSA).

Mr Mabesa has over 18 years’ experience as a finance professional, eleven of which are in the pension fund industry, specialising in financial management and reporting, governance and corporate services. He joined the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) in 2011 as a Finance Manager, became Head of Corporate Services in 2017 and was appointed the Principal Executive Officer in 2020.

Mr Mabesa holds an MSc degree from the University of London and a BCompt degree from the University of South Africa. He is a Chartered Certified Accountant through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is a member of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa.

“The establishment of AOFSA helps to promote a culture of collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships by major South African pension funds, thereby ensuring the best possible investment outcomes when we invest,” says Mr Mabesa. “The sharing of knowledge and best practice will assist asset owners to make a greater impact and, in particular, mitigate risks that we face in the tough economic conditions that we face in South Africa.”

Convened by Batseta, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, and MiDA Advisors (Mobilizing Institutional Investors to Develop Africa’s Infrastructure), AOFSA represents a collaboration of local pension funds to support investment in SA infrastructure to maximise the positive socio-economic impact of those investments.

“I am confident that those which have joined us in establishing AOFSA are committed to working together to mitigate the risks associated with the tough economic climate that pension funds operate in,” adds Mr Mabesa. “I believe that, with the membership and collective experience we have, we will be able to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s fight against poverty and unemployment, and generate sustainable economic growth. AOFSA and Batseta are committed to playing a purposeful role in our country as we ensure the best possible returns for our members and pensioners.”

“At Batseta, we are most excited by Musa’s appointments to these positions,” adds Anne-Marie D’Alton, Chief Executive Officer, Batseta. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to these roles and will assist in the rollout of the huge programme that we have lined up over the coming three years.”

ENDS