A row has erupted between former eThekwini deputy mayor Fawzia Peer and the Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) of Brics South Africa over her alleged appointment in a senior position.
The organisation is demanding an apology and retraction from Peer after news reports in June about her appointment to co-chair the capacity-building working group. She was quoted about her plans to achieve the WBA's objectives.
The WBA aims to facilitate growth and innovation opportunities for African entrepreneurs by connecting them with Brics partners.
But the organisation say she misinterpreted their engagements with her to serve in the position and sent her a “cease and desist” letter on July 17.
In the letter, WBA chairperson Lebogang Zulu asked Peer to refrain from “misrepresenting her affiliation” to the WBA and instructed her to issue a public retraction of those claims.
“We wish to make it explicitly clear that you do not hold any position, nor are you a member of any of our organisational structures,” she said.
“This incorrect representation of association with our alliance has led to significant confusion and necessitated unwarranted clarification on our part to the leadership structures of Brics South Africa, not to mention potential damage to the credibility and reputation of our organisation.
“We demand an immediate cessation of claims of affiliation or representation of the Brics WBA in any of your communication, public or private. We also insist that you issue a public retraction of your previous statements to all media entities where you have made such claims, clarifying your non-affiliation with our organisation.”
Peer however is fuming.
To a layperson the email sounded like [an appointment], they should’ve explained the technicalities
— Fawzia Peer
She said she didn’t go to the media promoting herself as the co-chair, but the information was picked up by a freelance reporter who was privy to a meeting she called to discuss the organisation's terms of reference with some people close to her.
She maintains engagements she had with the organisation’s leadership led her to believe she had been appointed to co-chair the portfolio.
This stems from two engagements — a “two-hour interview” she had early this year with Zulu and WBA deputy chair Shella Maela at the Beverly Hills hotel in Umhlanga and an email from Zulu on May 19, in which the terms of reference for the role were attached.
“To a layperson the email sounded like [an appointment], they should’ve explained the technicalities,” she told TimesLIVE Premium.
However, the WBA insists that Peer misinterpreted their engagement.
Nonkululeko Mantula, Brics SA WBA head of communication, confirmed Peer had been considered as a potential candidate for the role after Farrana Kader, an associate of Maela, had presented her qualifications “effectively” as well as her background “pertinent to the role”.
The meeting in Umhlanga took place as an “introductory session”, not an interview.
This email, while presenting the terms of reference for the role, was strictly a part of the exploratory process and did not signify a formal appointment.
— Brics SA spokesperson Nonkululeko Mantula
After the meeting an email was sent to Peer on May 19 from Zulu’s office but only to express an intention to nominate her and not to serve as an appointment letter, Mantula explained. TimesLIVE Premium has copies of the email and a response from Peer a few hours later.
In the email Peer said: “Thank you for the appointment. I will do my best. Have you appointed the co-head of capacity building yet? Thank you for the attached terms of reference.”
“This email, while presenting the terms of reference for the role, was strictly a part of the exploratory process and did not signify a formal appointment. It clearly communicated that the search for candidates to lead this vital working group was still active and ongoing,” Mantula said.
“Consequently, no appointment letter was issued to Mme Peer, as her involvement was still under consideration within the broader candidate evaluation process.”
Peer admitted this might all have been a case of miscommunication “from both sides”.
However, she sent a furious response to the organisation on July 19, saying she took offence the letter to her was leaked to the media.
“I would want the letter to the media retracted with immediate effect. The letter should have (been) sent to me first.
“I take umbrage at the last paragraph of your email, I did not ask for this appointment but (it) was given to me. I will also address this with the higher structures because of the lack of professionalism,” she wrote.
She also offered her “resignation with immediate effect”.
Mantula said there was no need for her “resignation” because she was never appointed to begin with.
She said they are still waiting for a formal response from her about issuing a public retraction of claims of any affiliation with or representation of Brics WBA.
“Until such a response is received, there is no consideration from our side to retract the letter.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.