For the first time in its 28 year history in South Africa, Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) has appointed a woman at executive level.

Sivuyile Boqwana, an attorney,joined CTSA a year ago as legal compliance manager and sits on the CTSA board as company secretary.

Dieter Horni, CTSA Managing Director says, “The continuous changes to legislation made it imperative that the executive committee includes a member that has capacity to ensure compliance in all aspects of the organisation. We are faced with a number of legislative issues that need consideration and decision-making at an executive level.”

Boqwana, says, “I am honoured for having been afforded the opportunity to be part of such a large organisation’s executive team. It is usually not easy for a woman to make inroads in a traditionally male dominated industry.”

Boqwana takes on her new role with a wealth of experience in the automotive and tyre and rubber industries. In 2007 she was appointed legal advisor at General Motors South Africa and four years later relocated to Pretoria where she worked as consumer protection act specialist at Nissan South Africa. Last year she was elected to serve on the board of the South Africa Tyre Manufacturers Conference as well as the board of South Africa Tyre Recycling Process.