OUR PRIDE
LEADERSHIP
IKE CHA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Founder
Ike Cha is a leader, visionary, entrepreneur and philanthropist who seeks to add value to everything he says, does and the lives he touches. He is an advocate for entrepreneurs and his ethos, vision, drive and passion is to contribute to South Africa and Africa’s progress.
He studied Industrial Psychology at UCT and followed this up with an MBA and went on to spend his early and mid-working years at Coca-Cola and Procter and Gamble. Here he learned that the devil is always in the detail, the art of systematically conceptualising a clear end- goal and the importance of planning and thinking things through to add value an investment.
After leaving corporate life in 2005, Ike set up his own business with a diversified portfolio of which his most well-known investments are the Reef Hotel in downtown Johannesburg, the Sand River Resort in Limpopo, buying and significantly growing fuel stations and merging it into The Fuel Company, co-founding the Musina Intermodal Terminal, and investing in the advisory firm, Grovest. This 15-year journey has yielded an IRR of 40% plus adding value to
all stakeholders.
Giving back to the community forms a greater part of Ike’s DNA and is his natural calling and reason for being. Through founding the One Moment Foundation, he has grouped his philanthropy efforts under one umbrella to address our three basic needs: education, hunger and shelter for the homeless.
SONIA MICHAEL
EXECUTIVE MANAGER
Lionshare Management Services
Heads up legal and administration across the group. Sonia has over 20 years of legal and corporate experience and has been at Lionshare for almost 15 years.
THEMBA MBATHA-CHALUMBIRA
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Experienced director of the company who has been with the company from inception in different roles charting the company’s journey.
Pam Naidoo
Group Finance Manager
Lionshare Management Service
With a Bachelor of Business Administration and over 15 years of operational finance experience both locally and internationally, Pam brings a wealth of expertise to the team. She is enthusiastic about being a part of our cohesive finance team, learning from those who joined the Pride before her, and sharing the knowledge she has gained over the years. Pam is dedicated to positively contributing to the vision and mission of Lionshare through her extensive experience in finance.
LOURENÇO MARIVATE
Managing Director
Lourenço Marivate joined the Lionshare Pride in 2022 as the Managing Director of Lionshare Auto Group, LDA, which operates in Moçambique. Lourenço brings a wealth of expertise to the business after being the head of finance for Scania Moçambique and his experience in auditing and accounting in various industries.
DAVID GROBBELAAR
Managing Director
David Grobbelaar was appointed in 2022 as the Managing Director of Lionshare Auto Group, SA, which operates in Limpopo. David brings a vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise to the business after many years of experience throughout the ranks at Scania SA.
GRECIA KEKANA
GENERAL MANAGER
Home-grown talent with over 21 years at this resort where she started as a waiter in the restaurant.
SILVANA PEARSON
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Silvana has extensive experience spanning over 25 years in hospitality and recruitment. She plays a strategic role in the smooth running of our head office.