Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) CEO Tanya Cohen is stepping down after two-and-a-half years at the helm of the apex business organisation.

After careful consideration and in consultation with the Board, Cohen has been granted permission to take leave of her position six months before the conclusion of her contract to take a sabbatical ahead of her pursuing new opportunities.

“I have accomplished what I set out to do: reposition BUSA as South Africa’s apex business organisation and a credible, strategic and critical partner to government and other social partners at Nedlac.  So, this was an opportune time to bow out. I wish the Board and the organisation well as they navigate the new dawn for the benefit of all South Africans,” says Cohen.

“During my time at BUSA, I have had the extraordinary privilege of working with capable and committed people, be it within BUSA and its membership base, or with the people and leaders within government, labour, community, our institutions, and the media. The common commitment to South Africa’s prosperity, its people and the rule of law has always prevailed,” says Cohen.

In acknowledging Cohen’s important contribution to the organisation, the BUSA Board said: “Tanya is an exceptionally capable leader who, during her tenure, has repositioned BUSA and built strategic relationships with government, organised labour and community. Thanks to her and her team’s tireless commitment, the organisation is in a strong position. She put together a capable and diverse team, of mostly women and young people, that will serve the organisation well into the future.”

Cohen’s notable achievements at BUSA include:

• Hosting the inaugural BUSA Business Economic Indaba
• Positioning BUSA on policy game-changers such as the Future of Work, health, land, energy, the national minimum wage and labour relations stability agreements, and the Jobs Summit Framework Agreement
• Steering the rebranding of BUSA; and significantly growing BUSA’s membership and capacity both internally and externally
• Together with BUSA members, advocating for more economically orientated, evidence-based policymaking

• Helping develop the first overarching policy position by business on transformation

The BUSA Board will finalise interim arrangements to fill the CEO position within the next week.

Media enquiries: mediadesk@busa.org.za