From the Sunday Times 25 years ago

FIERY academic Dr Mamphela Ramphele’s acceptance of a senior position at the Anglo American Corporation this month seems ironic to some. After all, she has described Anglo American and other mining and industrial giants as “part of the problem” in South Africa. Now, as a nonexecutive director, she wants to help solve problems — “not as an activist but as a catalyst”.

Dr Ramphele, who is deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, is not your typical Anglo American director. Her past is deeply rooted in the struggle against apartheid. Part of her job will be to define the corporation’s role in helping to transform society. — June 14 1992