Ophir Energy plc was an oil and gas exploration and production company based in London . It owned both operating and non-operating assets in Africa, Asia, and Mexico.
43-539: The company was founded by Alan Stein and Jonathan Taylor in 2004 with backing from Tokyo Sexwale . It was listed on the London Stock Exchange in July 2011. In March 2014, Ophir Energy sold its 20% stake in its Tanzanian assets for around $ 1.2 billion to Pavilion Energy. On 2 March 2015 Ophir Energy purchased Salamander Energy . In 2017, the company conducted massive layoffs with addition to restructure
86-429: A company of which he is still executive chairman. Mvelaphanda is primarily focused on the mining, energy and related sectors. Some of Sexwale's main interests are oil and diamond mining , for which he has been granted concessions across Africa and Russia; these interests are controlled by a subsidiary of Mvelaphanda Holdings called Mvelaphanda Resources. Through his Mvelaphanda Group , Sexwale has substantial holdings in
129-493: A first wife, and two children by his second wife, Judy van Vuuren, a paralegal he met on Robben Island prison. Following his financial success, he moved into the previously predominantly white suburb of Illovo with his family. In 2013, Sexwale and his second wife filed for divorce. Three days after the death of Mandela, on 8 December 2013, Sexwale appeared at a prayer service in Houghton, South Africa, where he hailed Mandela as
172-867: A group of South Africans who devised a plan to take over mineral assets and mining concessions in the Republic of Guinea , which the Guinean government planned to renationalize after revoking deals struck by previous governments in power. Sexwale discussed a plan with the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation to buy into mining interests in Guinea. Sexwale was believed to be the driver behind two British Virgin Island vehicles, Palladino Holdings and Floras Bell, which were managed by Walter Hennig . In April 2011 Walter Hennig concluded
215-526: A secret deal with the Guinean President Alpha Condé that would transfer billions of dollars of mining assets belonging to companies such as BHP and Rio Tinto – who wanted to invest billions to develop the mines of Guinea – to South African intermediary Palladino Capital. The deal comprised a loan of $ 25 million USD to the Guinean government to finance the start-up of a new Guinean state mining company. Behind Walter Hennig and
258-648: A skirmish with the South African security forces. After an almost two-year trial in the Supreme Court of South Africa in Pretoria , he was charged and later convicted of terrorism and conspiracy to overthrow the government. In 1977, Sexwale was sent to the Robben Island maximum-security prison to serve an 18-year sentence. While imprisoned on Robben Island, he studied for a BCom degree at
301-517: Is a South African businessman, politician, anti- apartheid activist, and former political prisoner . For many years, Sexwale was imprisoned on Robben Island for his anti-apartheid activities, alongside figures such as Nelson Mandela . After the 1994 general election —the first fully democratic election in South Africa—Sexwale became the Premier of Gauteng Province . Sexwale was born in
344-760: Is also chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology . Sexwale is also an honorary colonel in the South African Air Force and chair of the Council for the Support of National Defence , whose aim is to encourage part-time military service as well as building support in society for those who wish to serve in the military as volunteers. In 2004, he was voted 43rd in the list of " Top 100 Great South Africans ". Sexwale holds positions in many international organisations, such as president of
387-626: Is designed to provide students with a wide range of managerial skills, while building competence in a particular area of business; see aside listing. For a comparison with other business degrees, see Business education § Undergraduate education . Most universities, therefore, plan the degree such that in addition to their major , students are exposed to general business principles, taking courses in accounting, finance, economics, business management, human resources and marketing. Programs often require foundational courses in business statistics and mathematics , and information systems. Depending on
430-469: Is generally a 2-year duration degree, whereas BS Commerce, formerly known as BCom (Hons) in the country, is a 4-year duration degree. The Bachelor of Commerce degree was first offered at the University of Birmingham . The University's School of Commerce was founded by William Ashley , an Englishman from Oxford University , who was the first professor of Political Economy and Constitutional History in
473-437: Is that Sexwale left politics due to strong disagreements with the then Vice-President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki. Other speculation is that his marriage opened business opportunities in the white-dominated financial sectors that allowed him opportunities not open to other black leaders. Sexwale, Cyril Ramaphosa and Mbeki were possible candidates jostling for the presidency after Mandela stepped down. Once Thabo Mbeki appeared as
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#1732801689484516-706: The India , Republic of Ireland , the majority of Canada , Egypt , Ghana , the Philippines , the Netherlands , Sri Lanka and Nepal . In South Africa , New Zealand , Australia , Pakistan and some universities in India , the BCom (Hons) degree is considered an additional postgraduate qualification, whereas in Malta , an additional year of study is not considered a postgraduate qualification. In Pakistan , BCom
559-559: The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. It may consist of a four-year program or of a one-year program taken subsequent to a three-year Bachelor's degree ; the one-year program is typically focused exclusively on a single subject-area. The curriculum generally lasts three years in Australia , New Zealand , Malta , South Africa , some parts of Canada , and Hong Kong . The curriculum requires four years of study in
602-598: The U.S. Department of State and following personal intervention by Condoleezza Rice , Sexwale and the others received ten-year waivers from the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Department of Homeland Security , as the government felt that permanently delisting them would mean changing the law, which would be a lengthy process. In July 2008 a bill became law in the US to "provide relief for certain members of
645-771: The University of South Africa . Sexwale was released in June 1990 under the terms of the Groote Schuur Agreement between the National Party government and the African National Congress. He had spent 13 years in prison. During this time, he was represented in part by a paralegal named Judy van Vuuren. They began a personal relationship while he remained in prison, and married soon after his release in 1990. After his release, Sexwale returned to Johannesburg, where he served as head of
688-415: The "purest of the purest good" and encouraged everyone to learn from his example: "His method was that of solving a society's most impractical problems through talking and engaging." In November 2022, he married Natacha da Silva, a former model 38 years his junior. In 2001, Sexwale was accused, along with Cyril Ramaphosa and Mathews Phosa , of plotting to depose President Thabo Mbeki . Sexwale denied
731-471: The $ 25 million loan agreement were Sexwale; Mark Willcox, the chief executive of Mvelaphanda Group , and several other businessmen of South African, Polish, and British extraction. One of them was Ian Hannam , a famous London banker who tried to arrange Rusal 's float on the London Stock Exchange in 2007, but failed. The loan deal was tipped for a potential investigation by the World Bank which
774-644: The ANC, he would seriously consider it. He was elected to the ANC's 80-member National Executive Committee in December 2007 in 10th place, with 2,198 votes. On 10 May 2009, President Jacob Zuma appointed Sexwale as Minister of Human Settlements, a ministry which replaced the Department of Housing. Upon leaving the public sector, Sexwale founded Mvelaphanda Holdings ( mvelaphanda is the Venda word for "progress"),
817-499: The African National Congress regarding admissibility" and the ANC itself was removed from the terrorist list though on 28 October 2013, the ANC demanded an apology after Sexwale was held at a US airport because he was still on a terrorist watchlist. In 2005, Sexwale was roundly criticized for being "indecisive" during the live finale of the South African version of The Apprentice , which he fronted on SABC3. Both finalists, Zanele Batyashe, 24, and Khomotso Choma, 34, were hired in
860-539: The Deputy Presidency at the ANC's leadership election in Mangaung , Free State. On 18 December 2012, Sexwale was defeated for the post of Deputy President, coming in last place he received 463 votes while Cyril Ramaphosa received 3 018 votes and Mathews Phosa received 470 votes. Sexwale's nickname of "Tokyo" is derived from his involvement with the sport of karate as a youth. Sexwale has two children by
903-722: The Faculty of Arts at the University of Toronto . Ashley left Toronto in 1892, spent a few years at Harvard University , and then went back to England to the new University of Birmingham where he founded the School of Commerce. Ashley began the programme which was the forerunner of many other BCom degree programmes throughout the British Empire . Eighteenth-century economists had divided the English economy into three sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. Commerce included
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#1732801689484946-876: The South African/Russian Business, Technological and Cultural Association, and Vice President of the South African/Japanese Business Forum. He is also an Honorary Consul General of Finland in South Africa. BCom A Bachelor of Commerce ( BCom or B Com ) is an undergraduate degree in business, management, economics or accounting, awarded in Canada , Australia , India , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka , Pakistan , Ireland , New Zealand , Ghana , South Africa , Myanmar , Egypt , and additional Commonwealth countries. The Bachelor of Commerce degree
989-755: The charges and all three received the backing of Nelson Mandela; they were later exonerated from all accusations. In 2002, he was refused a visa to enter the United States, which kept him from attending the listing of Gold Fields (a company in which he holds a 15 percent stake) on the New York Stock Exchange . It later transpired that he, along with many prominent South African anti-apartheid figures such as Nelson Mandela and South African cabinet minister Sidney Mufamadi , were still on that country's list of global terrorists. After initiating legal action, going so far as to having papers served on
1032-679: The claims from "faceless sources". Sexwale has received many honours and awards, including the Légion d'honneur from France, an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University , an honorary doctorate from De Montfort University , the Order of the Freedom of Havana (Cuba), the Cross of Valour (Ruby Class) from South Africa, and the Reach and Teach Leadership Award , from the United States. He
1075-636: The creation of a new joint venture, Africa Management Limited. As part of the joint venture, Africa Management Limited established African Global Capital, as a vehicle for investment in both the private and public markets across Africa, focusing on natural resources and related opportunities. Sexwale said: "We intend to build on our already strong foothold in African investments in partnership with Och-Ziff. The partnership with Och-Ziff in African Global Capital will help us accelerate in building
1118-671: The early 1970s, he joined the African National Congress's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe ("spear of the nation"). While in Swaziland , he completed a Certificate in Business Studies at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland . In 1975, Sexwale went into exile , undergoing military officers' training in the Soviet Union , where he specialized in military engineering . Upon his return to South Africa in 1976, Sexwale, along with 11 others, had been captured after
1161-594: The expanded company one of the largest independent E&P company in South East Asia. In Tanzania, the company participated in the planned LNG project together with Tanzanian Government through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and BG Group . Tokyo Sexwale This is an accepted version of this page Mosima Gabriel "Tokyo" Sexwale ( Venda : [sexwále] ; born March 5, 1953)
1204-446: The favourite candidate, both Sexwale and Ramaphosa left politics to follow successful careers as businessmen. On 7 January 2007, The Sunday Times reported that Sexwale was campaigning for a leadership position within the ANC, which would have put him in position to replace Thabo Mbeki as President of South Africa in 2009. Sexwale admitted on BBC's Hard Talk that if asked to stand for the elections as party president by structures of
1247-739: The finale which aired 22 September. Sexwale's name appeared in a United Nations report on illegal transactions under the Oil-for-Food Programme . Sexwale's Group 5 has received criticism for their involvement with Gugulethu Tycoon, Mzoli Ngcawuzele in the Guguletu Square Mall. In July 2009, Sexwale was criticized by some civil society organizations and academics for what they called 'publicity stunts' as well as for accusing protesting communities of fomenting 'anarchy' and threatened 'zero tolerance' against protesters 'acting under other flags'. Sexwale led
1290-467: The first premier of the new PWV Province (renamed Gauteng Province in December 1994). In this role, he was credited with bringing peace to several politically volatile townships. Sexwale left politics for the corporate sector in 1998. The reasons for this were never made completely clear, but was reportedly due to feeling stifled by central government restrictions as well as becoming exhausted by internal African National Congress intrigues. Further speculation
1333-455: The institution, a formal academic major may or may not be established. Regardless, a Bachelor of Commerce degree requires students to take the majority of their courses in business-related subjects, including the aside, among others. The Honours Bachelor of Commerce (HonsBCom or BComm (Hons) or HBCom) is further advanced. The degree has a specialization aspect, analogous to the BBA , developing
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1376-653: The leading African investment firm." He was mentioned as a possible candidate for Deputy President of the African National Congress in 2007. In September 2007 he announced his candidacy for the ANC Presidential nomination at the party convention in Polokwane . Prior to the convention, he withdrew his nomination and backed then Deputy President - Jacob Zuma . He did not stand for the Deputy Presidency as certain media speculation expected,
1419-489: The mining sector. He is currently discussing with the Kazakh -owned Eurasian National Resources Corporation a plan to buy into mining interests in Guinea. A negotiating team is in secret talks about financing a local mining company to be owned by the Guinean state. The new mining code, drafted by advisers to the Guinean President Alpha Condé , would grant the new state entity a free 15% stake in Guinea's mining projects, with
1462-488: The option to buy another 20%. Sexwale was a business partner with Alpha Condé even before Condé became president. Sexwale's Mvelphanda Holdings and Walter Hennig's Palladino Holdings have entered into a partnership with US investment fund managers Och-Ziff Capital Management in African Global Capital, a natural resources investment fund focussing on the continent. In January 2008 OZ Management , Mvelaphanda (Mvela) Holdings and Walter Hennig 's Palladino Holdings announced
1505-542: The organization due to harsh market conditions. In 2018, Ophir agreed to acquire a package of Southeast Asian assets from Santos for $ 205 million. The portfolio of assets included producing assets in Vietnam and Indonesia together with exploration assets in Malaysia and Bangladesh. The transaction was in line with Ophir's stated strategy of rebalancing its portfolio towards a larger production and cash flow base to support
1548-546: The post eventually going to Kgalema Motlanthe . In 2009, he was appointed as Minister of Human Settlements by President Jacob Zuma having previously been touted as a possible Foreign Affairs or Defense Minister. Sexwale was nominated as Kgalema Motlanthe 's Deputy Presidential running mate on 2 October 2012 by various regions in the Eastern Cape , the ruling party's second largest branch. The African National Congress Youth League also indicated that it would back Sexwale for
1591-561: The public liaison department of the African National Congress Headquarters. He was subsequently appointed the head of special projects, where he reported to the ANC's military headquarters. In September of 1990, he was elected as a member of the executive committee of the ANC in the Pretoria - Witwatersrand - Vereeniging (PWV) region. After the South African elections in April 1994, Sexwale was elected as
1634-759: The refocused exploration portfolio. In January 2019, was denied a licence extension on the Fortuna Floating Liquified Natural Gas project in Equatorial Guinea, the first of its kind in Africa, which was due to produce its first gas in 2020. In May 2019, Ophir was acquired by MedcoEnergi in a deal valued at £408.4 million ($ 517.6 million). This step further reflected Ophir's previous objective to be more focused on Asian Producing Assets as well as minimizing exposure to high risk exploration portfolios. The acquisition has made
1677-426: The student's business skills and/or providing in-depth knowledge of the field. It requires additional academic courses to be completed, and usually with higher academic performance standards, and may also require a researched thesis component. It often serves as an abridgement (or entry requirement) between the undergraduate program and postgraduate programs, including the Master of Commerce (M.Com. or M.Comm.) and
1720-669: The township of Orlando West , in Soweto . His father was a clerk at Johannesburg General Hospital and had fought against the Germans in World War II. Sexwale grew up during the black township 's upheaval. In 1973, he graduated from Orlando West High School. In the late 1960s, Sexwale became a member of the Steve Biko 's Black Consciousness Movement and became a local leader of the radical South African Students' Movement . In
1763-606: Was funding the president's election campaign through the loan deal. In July 2012, the Russian publication Argumenty i Fakty reported that Walter Hennig, through Palladino Capital 2, made a series of payments totalling $ 25 million to the Guinean president's son, Mohammed Condé. The payments were made by Walter Hennig from an account held in Turks and Caicos into an offshore account held by Mohammed Condé in Monaco . The money
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1806-502: Was originally lent by Hennig's offshore company, Palladino Capital 2, in order to start the state mining company but various news articles cited anonymous sources who have claimed that the US$ 25 ;million was never reflected in the country's accounts. When faced with these accusations, Sexwale declined to comment personally and instead released statements through his spokesperson Xolani Xundu that he would not confirm or deny any of
1849-422: Was to look into whether the loan was actually intended to finance a new state-mining company, as outlined in the contract, or to benefit political or individual interests in return for mining concessions. Mahmoud Thiam, the former Guinean mining minister and political opponent of President Alpha Condé, claimed that Sexwale "was angry with the president because he was not delivering on his promises" and that Sexwale
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