Johannesburg - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Thursday
defend the Development Bank of SA's (DBSA) decision to appoint Mo Shaik as head
of its international subsidiary.
"I believe the DBSA has followed proper processes in
making this appointment, which I support," he said in a statement released
by his office.
Gordhan was responding to the Democratic Alliance's
announcement that it would ask him to explain the process followed by the bank
in appointing Shaik.
The post was advertised within the DBSA and an executive
headhunting agency was appointed. Nine candidates were identified, and four of
these were shortlisted.
They completed psychometric assessments and were interviewed
by a subcommittee of the DBSA's board of directors.
Best person
"In fairness to the four shortlisted candidates, I am
not going to disclose their names," Gordhan said.
They had participated in the process on the understanding
that their candidature would be treated in the strictest of confidence, he
said.
Following the interviews, two candidates were eliminated and
Shaik was identified as the best person for the job.
"In its recommendation, the board found Mr Shaik to
have strong networks and relationships within the SA development
community," he said.
These were seen as key to the success of the DBSA's
subsidiary, the Development Bank International.
"Mr Shaik also displayed strong analytical skills and a
deep understanding of national priorities, all of which can be partly
attributed to the various positions that he has occupied in government since
1994," said Gordhan.
"Mr Shaik's lack of experience in running a commercial
enterprise is made up for by his recent training at the Harvard Business
School."
Appropriate skills
The Development Bank International had a vital role to play
in enhancing the development of infrastructure projects in southern Africa,
which would in turn promote regional integration, he said.
The DBSA announced Shaik's appointment on Wednesday.
Shaik had the appropriate skills and background for the
position, which would involve working with development finance institutions of
Brazil, Russia, India, and China, DBSA chair Jabu Moleketi said in a statement
on Tuesday.
"Shaik's experience in the field of international
relations and diplomatic intelligence will be an added boost for this new
subsidiary," he said.
"We have no doubt that his prudent expertise will
facilitate South Africa's investments in the rest of Africa."
Shaik holds degrees in computer science and a master's
degree in optometry. He has also completed an advanced management programme at
the Harvard Business School in the US.
He served as chief executive of CorpAfrica, South African
consul general in Germany, and as South African ambassador to Algeria.
He was a special adviser to former foreign affairs minister
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, head of policy research for the same department, and
head of secret services at the state security ministry.