Despite the view that many beleaguered parastatals are beyond redemption, it would be unconscionable to expect black professionals to withhold their skills and knowledge by refusing to lead them, according to newly-appointed Business Leadership SA (BLSA) CEO, Busisiwe Mavuso. Mavuso was appointed to BLSA at the beginning of the month, taking over from former head Bonang Mohale. According to a Fin24 report she was responding to remarks from Black Management Forum (BMF) president Andile Nomlala calling for black professionals to spurn offers to lead state-owned entities. Mavuso was head-hunted by BLSA from BMF, where she had served as MD. She was appointed chief operating officer of BLSA, before assuming the role as CEO. Nomlala's statement urged black professionals not to apply for leadership positions at state-owned entities, saying government interference at these companies was setting black leaders up for failure. Mavuso said BLSA would continue to encourage senior black professionals to assume leadership in both private and public companies, despite the troubles faced by many SOEs. Mavuso said while many state-owned entities have been hollowed out, in order to be repaired, SA needed its black professionals to take the lead. She said to fail to address the crisis would be to neglect SA’s biggest sovereign risk. ‘To call on people to hold back in this critical time can't be right. I don't think withholding our skills when our country needs them the most is the responsible leadership call to make,’ Mavuso said.