BBF’s Ndlela Mazibuko: Focusing on customers
Ndlela Mazibuko… “Great generals are those who build new cities with old stones.”
Pinetown, KZN, SA – BBF Safety Group has appointed Ndlela Mazibuko as MD, effective 1 November 2025. He will work alongside the BBF Safety Group CEO, Brian Kuhnert, and the Beier Group CEO, Warren Sachs, in growing the customer centric focus of the business.
In a release, BBF wrote:
A seasoned industrialist and inclusive leader, Ndlela brings a proven track record of driving growth, advancing empowerment, and fostering shared value across the industry. His strategic vision and passion for developing people will be instrumental in steering BBF into its next chapter of purposeful and sustainable growth.
Warren Sachs, Beier Group CEO, commented: “This well-deserved appointment recognises Ndlela’s unwavering commitment to customer centricity, transformation, and building sustainable value for all of our shareholders, as well as for the broader South African economy.
“With over a decade of dedicated service to the Beier Group, Ndlela has been instrumental in shaping the Group’s commercial and growth strategy. His leadership has consistently driven customer-focused innovation, strategic partnerships, and market expansion.
“This appointment is also a result of rigorous succession planning, and we need to take a moment to recognise the significant contribution by Brian Kuhnert who has been steering the BBF ship since 2022. Brian’s initial appointment was to focus on the operational elements and provide a mentorship role in bringing through leadership in that area. Through his business acumen and insights his portfolio grew naturally, and he has been instrumental in bringing stability into the BBF business. Brian will continue in his role with focused attention on the operations side of the business and we are grateful for his continued contribution to the success of BBF.
“We congratulate Ndlela on this appointment and look forward to the renewed energy and focus he will bring as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive, and customer-focused organisation.”
Respected for his integrity, insight, and collaborative approach, Ndlela has become a popular and trusted figure not only within the PPE industry, but also among partners and peers from varied sectors who have worked alongside him. He will also continue in his role as a Director on the Beier Group Executive Board.
Reflecting on his appointment, Ndlela said in his inimitable style: “Great Generals are those who build new cities with old stones. BBF has a proud legacy of safety, innovation, and empowerment — and I’m excited to build on that foundation as we shape the future together with a team that is deeply passionate about protecting people’s lives and livelihoods.”
Footwear Industry Articles
- Cavalli introduces comfort range
George, W. Cape, SA – Recognising the growing demand for footwear that balances comfort and style, Cavalli introduces Cavalli Comfort, a ladies’ footwear range thoughtfully developed for women who prioritise both foot health and refined elegance.Created by Leo D’ Mar cc, a family-run business established in 1997 and the ...moreLemaitre’s Robust Pro, ‘based on user feedback, is a gamechanger in safety footwear’
Lemaitre, a trusted leader in safety footwear, is proud to announce the launch of the New Robust Pro, a reimagined safety shoe designed to deliver unparalleled comfort, durability, and all-around protection for workers across industries. With the Robust Pro we set out to create a shoe that truly works as hard as the people who wear it by ...moreA perspective: Perhaps it was an eye-opener for industry players to hear each otherLooking back over the workshop, BMA consultant Justin Snelling wrote: “In terms of our reflections of the workshop, we covered a lot of territory. Perhaps though what was most encouraging was the breadth of participation from different segments of the sector and their willingness, or even excitement, to contribute. We don’t ta ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Sam Setter's 'Pills': TraceabilityThe EU Commission is very much engaged in bringing traceability of our raw materials to the forefront of tannery management. But let’s reflect on this for a moment. In the industrial world traceability is a fact, and particularly where food is involved, traceability is a standard requirement for trading. This is firstly to ensure fo ...moreMONEY FROM WASTE
Europe has borne the difficulties and the costs of converting to a bioeconomy – the lessons are there, free, for African businesses to learn and profit from. ...moreSam Setter's 'Pills': Over and AgainThe EU announced that hides and skins could be removed from the EUDR directive's deforestation commodities. Could! Last month, like many others, I thought that the decision had been taken, but that doesn’t seem to be correct. The final decision will be taken after public feedback. Yeah, you read this right: after public feedback. As ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- The PPE Conference – PPE isn’t optional, it’s essential: A review
Leighton Bennett, the Safety First Association chairperson and a SHE and risk management consultantThe hosts of this first PPE Conference held in South Africa, were the Safety First Association and SAPEMA, on the 10 and 11 March 2026, at the Emperor’s Palace, in Kempton Park.This conference objectives were to provide a unique opport ...moreSelecting the correct protective clothing for a hazardous chemical environment
In South Africa’s diverse industrial landscape, from mining operations in Rustenburg to petrochemical plants in Secunda and manufacturing hubs in Durban, workers are regularly exposed to hazardous chemical environments that demand more than just basic safety measures.The selection of appropriate protective clothing is not only ...moreSA's first PPE conference draws top speakers
The Safety First Association and SAPEMA hosted SA’s first PPE conference in March, cramming 20 papers into a 2-day event, which also featured a number of PPE supplier stands. Here, we carry edited versions of 7 of them to illustrate the diversity of the topics. We expect to carry more in the next edition.As several speakers pointed ...more
