POLITICS

Frans Cronje our new CEO - SAIRR

Institute's current deputy chief executive to take over from John Kane-Berman in February 2014

New chief executive officer at the South African Institute of Race Relations

Frans Cronje has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the South African Institute of Race Relations.

This was announced in Johannesburg today by the Chairman of the Board of the Institute, Theo Coggin, who said that Dr Cronje would take over from John Kane-Berman when he retired at the end of February next year.

Frans Cronje, who is 36, joined the Institute in its research department in 2004. Since then he has taken over responsibility for the organisation's marketing drive while also launching the Institute's Unit for Risk Analysis. Well-known in the South African business world for his scenario presentations and risk evaluations, Dr Cronje has written and spoken widely on economic, social, and political trends in South Africa.

Dr Cronje was educated at St John's College in Johannesburg, where he was captain of cricket. He holds an MA in international relations from the University of the Witwatersrand and a doctorate in scenario planning from the University of the North West.

Prior to joining the Institute he served with the South African Police Service and also worked as a horse-riding instructor and logger in the US. He also participated in a year- long expedition across the African continent from Cape to Cairo by Land Rover.

The president of the Institute, Professor Jonathan Jansen, said that Dr Cronje's appointment was ‘wonderful news for independent research and courageous thinking in South Africa today'.

Mr Kane Berman said he was also delighted at the choice of his successor.

Statement issued by the South African Institute of Race Relations, September 16 2013

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