SAIL Group has confirmed the appointment of Sizwe Nzimande, former Head of Sport at SABC.

Nzimande will head up two of the Group’s subsidiaries, Navitute and CIRCA Hospitality, as Managing Director. He takes over the position from Morne Du Plessis, who has been appointed to the new role of SAIL Group Executive Director: Strategic Relations, and Lee Thomas who has been seconded to Match Hospitality as part of the Group’s joint venture in hospitality sales for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Nzimande has vast experience in sport and especially soccer, following the position held at the PSL. Mr Brand de Villiers, Group CEO at SAIL, welcomed Nzimande and said he was confident that both Navitute and CIRCA will excel under his leadership, consolidating the two subsidiaries’ sales efforts, and pushing the event creation side of the business.

De Villiers went on to add that Nzimande has had a long relationship with SAIL, and it is exciting that he joins the Group at such an opportune time in South Africa’s sporting industry.

Nzimande says he is excited about the change. “It will be different working from a consultancy position, but the timing couldn’t be better. CIRCA Hospitality and Navitute is a part of one of the leading sport and entertainment agencies in the country, and with events such as the Vodacom Challenge in their stable, I look forward to this fantastic opportunity.”