End of an era for South Africa’s biggest pharmaceutical company

Aspen Pharmacare has announced that its chair of over a decade will not stand for re-election at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) in December 2026.

In a notice to shareholders on Friday, 10 July, Aspen said Kuseni Dlamini will step down as chair of the board and cease to serve as an independent non-executive director after the AGM.

Dlamini has been on Aspen’s board since 2012 and was appointed as chair in 2015. 

Aside from Aspen, Dlamini has been involved with many of South Africa’s biggest companies. Before joining Aspen, he served as the CEO of Old Mutual South Africa and Emerging Markets.

He was the Head of Anglo American South Africa and a member of the Executive Committee of Anglo American in London. He was also a director of Anglo American Platinum.

A Rhodes scholar, Dlamini graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban and Oxford in the United Kingdom.

“The board extends its sincere appreciation to Mr Dlamini for his exemplary leadership, steadfast commitment and significant contribution to Aspen over the years,” Aspen said in its notice. 

“The board thanks Mr Dlamini for his valued service and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.”

Aspen also announced that Dlamini will be succeeded by Ben Kruger, who currently serves as an independent director of the pharma giant’s board.

Kruger joined Aspen’s board in 2019 and has an impressive track record of roles at major South African companies.

He started his career at Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank in 1985 and was appointed chief exec of Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking in 2001. 

In 2013, Kruger became Co-CEO of the Standard Bank Group, alongside current CEO Sim Tshabalala. He retired from Standard Bank in 2018 and currently serves as a non-executive director on the bank’s board. 

Kruger is also a member of the Council for the University of Pretoria and serves as its deputy chair.