Lionel October has been appointed as the director-general (DG) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Minister Rob Davies announced on Thursday.

October, a DTI veteran, was appointed acting DG in January, after Tshediso Matona took up the position of DG at the Department of Public Enterprises.

October was the DTI’s foreign economic representative to the European community before he returned to South Africa to take up the position of acting DG.

Prior to his international posting, he had led the DTI’s Enterprise and Industry Development Division. In this capacity, he was responsible for key projects, including managing the National Industrial Participation Programme, developing of the black economic empowerment strategy and legislation and the launch of the National Empowerment Fund. He also oversaw the establishment of the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the South African Micro-Finance Apex Fund and the National Industrial Policy Framework.

Davies also announced that Sipho Zikode has been appointed as deputy DG of the Empowerment and Enterprise Division.

“Zikode has earned his spurs in the DTI, having joined in 1997 and served in various capacities, including chief director responsible for the Industrial Participation Secretariat,” Davies said.