Board of Directors

Simon Farrell (Chairman)

Simon is a South African citizen who was based in Cape Town for about eight years as a foreign correspondent for US and UK publications. He also reported on business, crime, and lifestyle for the local press. Simon was inspired to write two books: South Africa Chic, published by Didier Millet in 2008, and Top Getaways in Southern Africa, published by Reader’s Digest in 2000. Simon's fondest SA memory is being introduced to President Nelson Mandela at Cape Town Press Club in October 1996. He is also co-founding publisher of a medium-size media and communications company in Tokyo; statutory auditor of The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan; and a director of the Japan Market Expansion Competition, William Adams Club and Animal Refuge Kansai.

Francois de Villiers (Vice-Chairman)

Francois is from Port Elizabeth and has been in Japan for over 20 years. Currently he is working in the shipping segment looking after  Japan, Korea and  South East Asia. Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francois-de-villiers-8b7775a/

In addition to the SACCJ, Francois is also on the board of the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan in which he is actively involved in the Maritime Business Network.

Harrison “Chain” Hlabane (Vice-Chairman)

Born and raised in Benoni, South Africa, I am an academic, journalist and a business person, previously worked for the Star newspaper, Jacaranda FM, CTB Media (television network in Beppu), I am currently employed at SBT Japan in the Global Office Management division responsible for Global HR and BOP of 32 branch offices overseas.   I am also a Director at BootCulture Sports Diplomacy Institute, South Africa, and also a Director at Sixgunsally PTY LTD, an event management company in South Africa.I have been in Japan since 2004, and through the activities of my graduate studies and subsequent profession, I had and still continue to have the opportunity to travel back and forth between Japan and South Africa promoting people to people exchanges, journalist exchanges, education and dialogue between the two countries. I am passionate about forging closer relations between Japan and South Africa, and always taking the opportunity to promote the cultures of both countries whenever possible. My ultimate goal is to serve as a bridge between Japan and South Africa.

Samukelisiwe Mthembu

Ms. Mthembu is  a Director on the South African Chamber of Commerce in Japan (SACCJ)  with board-level experience working on activities which promote business between South Africa and Japan. She has an Auditing, Business Management, and Multilateral Diplomacy background which allows her to bring a diverse perspective combining strategic thinking, governance, and risk management to the Board. Her participation on the Board enables her to utilize and stretch her professional and personal leadership skills to engage the SACCJ on issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as Women Empowerment. Through collaborative efforts with other Chambers of Commerce and organizations with similar visions, she is actively involved in making an impact where DEI and Women Empowerment in Japan are concerned.

Paul Siljeur / Director Ex officio

Mr. Siljeur acts as liaison between the SACCJ Board and the South African Embassy in Japan.  

Katsura Ogishima / F & A

Katsura Ogishima has been involved in the Chamber since 2018 and would like to contribute to the development of business between  South Africa and Japan.