Mr Pius Mbuyisa, a leading local government councillor representing both the Sobanto and Lincolnmeade constituencies, was elected by members to the electoral committee of the three race clubs – Durban Turf Club, Clairwood Turf Club and Pietermaritzburg Turf Club – which were the core organisations from which Gold Circle Racing was born.

He was elected along with Mr Ravi Govender, Mr Richard McElligott and Mr Mike Holmes to fill four positions vacated by stewards who, in terms of the constitution of the race clubs, had to retire. The constitution requires that one more than one third of the10 stewards retire annually.

Mr McElligott and Mr Holmes were two of the four stewards who had retired but had made themselves available for re-election. Standing against them were Mr Mbuyisa, Mr Govender, Mr Rajeshwar Maharaj and Roy Moodley.

Mr Mick Goss and Mr Robin Whittaker were the two other retiring stewards who did not stand for re-election.

Mr Ravi Govender is in management in the eThekwini Municipality and is also on the executive committees of various community bodies.

The 10 stewards form the electoral committee of Gold Circle Racing and will decide, at a meeting this week, who the directors of Gold Circle will be for the coming year.

The other members retaining their positions as stewards are Mr Doug Campbell, Mr Chris Haynes, Mr Bill Lambert, Mr Moga Pillay, Mr Chris Saunders and Mr Ian Veltman.

The Managing Director of Gold Circle, Mr David Furness, said Gold Circle was a young company and was in the process of transforming itself in terms of Government strategy from an empowerment point of view.

"Through this process it is very encouraging that the results of tonight’s elections brings in persons from previously disadvantaged communities and we are extremely proud that members have embraced this concept which will lead us from strength to strength in the future."

Mr Michel Nairac, Chief Operations officer for Gold Circle, said it is was very exciting to see transformation taking place.

"Of the four candidates elected tonight there are two from previously disadvantaged communities and, more excitingly, one of them, a Black African Mr Pius Mbuyisa, is elected to a stewards role.

"That is very exciting as it shows that transformation is really taking place in racing. We have seen it in our crowds and attendance and now we are seeing it at non-executive level."

Gill Simpkins
Communications Officer