Our Board and governance structure
Our Board and governance structure
The NSRI's Board is accountable for ethical and effective leadership, strategic value creation and integrated oversight of risk and performance through transparent, stakeholder-inclusive governance.
Executive Directors
Michael Vonk (52)
CEO
Appointed 2024
MSocSci, BSocSci (Hons), PG Dip Health Leadership
Brett Ayres (44)
Executive Director: Rescue Operations
Appointed 2020
BSc (Hons), PGCE, MBA
Company Secretary
Company Secretary
Janine van Stolk (63)
Executive Director: Fundraising and Marketing
Appointed 2020
BBusSc (Hons)
Company Secretary
Chris Wilson (51)
Company Secretary
Appointed 2013
FCG CS CGP
Independent Non-executive Directors
Jonathan Velloza (54)
Chairperson
Appointed 2022
Nat Dip Mining Engineering, BCom Business Management, BTech Mining, ADP
Mohammed Zaeem Soofie (51)
Deputy Chairperson
Appointed 2025
BA LLB
Grant Bairstow (56)
Appointed 2022
Nat Dip Health and Safety, Nat Dip Explosive Technology, Nat Dip Business Management, MCom Maritime
James Beaumont (58)
Appointed 2022
BCom, MBA
Lynn Davis (56)
Appointed 2021
BCompt (Hons), CA(SA), PG Dip Internal Audit
Jane Fisher (53)
Appointed 2025
BSc Mathematics and Computer Science
Kelly Fourie (33)
Appointed 2023
LLB
Radha Govender (60)
Appointed 2020
BPharm, MPhil (Palliative Medicine)
Clifford Ireland (51)
Appointed 2021
BTech Engineering, PrTech Engineering, PrCPM, OHSPRO
Prof. Sa'ad Lahri (44)
Appointed 2025
MBChB (UCT) FCEM (SA), MPhil (Health Professions Education) SU
Sanoshni Makanjee (55)
Appointed 2024
BSocSci Psychology, PG HDip Education, PG Dip Business Management
Pretty Mbakaza (37)
Appointed 2022
Nat Dip Maritime Studies
Bernard Schäfer (57)
Appointed 2023
NHD CMA
The honorary life governors of the NSRI:
| Dave Abromowitz | Eddie Noyons |
| Peter Bacon | Mike Patterson |
| Keith Burchell | David Robins |
| Mike Elliot | Dave Roberts |
| Brad Geyser | Ronnie Stein |
| Howard Godfrey | Rob Stirrat |
| Okkert Grapow | Ian Strachan |
| Ian Hamilton | Hennie Taljaard |
| Brian Hustler | Ian Wienburg |
| Mark Koning |
The Board oversees the NSRI's activities with regular meetings that set strategic direction, approve budgets and implementation timelines and monitor performance and outcomes.
The Board ensures ethical conduct, strategic value creation, integrated risk and performance management and transparent, stakeholder‑inclusive governance beyond compliance with legislation. This includes defining materiality thresholds and delegating authority appropriately for effective oversight and strategy execution.
A Memorandum of Incorporation outlines the NSRI's governance structure, election of Directors and their roles, responsibilities and powers.
The Board attends annual governance training covering the Memorandum of Incorporation, Board Charter, committee terms of reference and King IV.
The Board rotates every three years when retiring Directors are either re-elected or replaced through resolutions passed at the AGM.
Board composition
| As at 31 December | 2025 | 2024 |
| Independent Non-executive Directors | 13 | 12 |
| Executive Directors (including the CEO) | 3 | 4 |
| Company Secretary | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 17 | 17 |
Changes to the Board in 2025
- Mohammed Zaeem Soofie was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Board.
- Two independent Non-executive Directors were appointed at the AGM.
Gender and race diversity as at 31 December 2025
Gender diversity
Race diversity
Diversity and expertise
The Board composition reflects an appropriate mix of knowledge, skills, experience, independence and inclusivity in terms of race and gender.
Governance framework and structure
The NSRI operates under a Corporate Governance Framework, reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with King IV principles, guiding the executive team.
| Board committees | The Board oversees the company's activities through four committees, namely the ARCC, HCC, IC and OSC. |
| Meetings | The Board meets quarterly to consider governance issues and receive committee reports, and once annually to discuss the NSRI's strategy. Minutes are recorded and reported at each Board meeting. |
| Chairperson and CEO roles | The roles of the Chairperson and CEO are separate to ensure independent management and governance. |
| Delegation of authority |
The delegation of authority framework defines roles to ensure the executive team manages the NSRI in terms of defined mandates. The CEO is the only executive with financial delegation of authority of up to R5 million, provided the expenditure is within the approved budget. All spending outside the approved budget requires Board approval. Executive Directors employ and manage the staff required by each department. |
| Honorary Life Governors | Honorary Life Governors are individuals recognised by the Board for their exceptional and sustained contribution to the NSRI, who continue to serve as wise counsel to the Institute. |
| Managing ethics |
The Code of Ethics and Conduct guides ethical decision-making and aims to ensure ethical behaviour is embedded across the company. Additionally, volunteers sign an agreement to uphold the NSRI's values and Non‑executive Directors are not paid to reinforce volunteerism and public service. |
| Responsible corporate citizen | Mindful of our responsibilities, the NSRI demonstrates transparent governance through public access to information on our website and in our Integrated Annual Report. Donor trust reflects our responsible use of their funds to maximise impact and deliver sustainable outcomes. |
The Board is satisfied that it has fulfilled its responsibilities in accordance with its Charter and, supported by Kilgetty Statutory Services (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, notes that all policies and governance documents are housed in the NSRI's intranet.
