Sadha Naidoo, a seasoned executive with a strong background in tourism and hospitality, has been appointed as the non-executive chairperson of both the Race Coast Western Cape and Race Coast KZN boards. This move is part of a broader effort to streamline business operations across the racing regions. Naidoo has previously served as chairperson of Tourism KZN and the Durban ICC, and has played a significant role in promoting job creation, business development, and good governance.
Naidoo's appointment was announced by Race Coast, a company that evolved from the merger of Gold Circle's operations in KZN and the Western Cape-based Cape Racing. The company was officially launched in May 2025, marking a new era in coastal racing in South Africa. With his extensive experience in the industry, Naidoo is well-positioned to lead the company's boards in KZN and the Western Cape.
Prior to his appointment as chairperson of Race Coast, Naidoo served as a non-executive director of Gold Circle, where he played a key role in overseeing the transition phase under the Hollywoodbets' banner to the current Race Coast entity. His private business interests span tourism and hospitality, as well as property and skills development, with a focus on KZN, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape.
Basil Thomas, speaking on behalf of the Hollywood Group, congratulated Naidoo on his appointment, citing his institutional knowledge and invaluable contributions to the company. Thomas noted that Naidoo's role in the transition from Gold Circle to Race Coast made him an ideal candidate for the chairmanship of both companies.
The newly constituted uniform composition of the Race Coast Western Cape and Race Coast KwaZulu-Natal boards includes Zandile Maseko, Suren Rampersadh, Morgan Shandu, Dean Sawarjith, and Kaamilah Finch. This move is aimed at aligning the structure of the individual boards within the Race Coast regions, further solidifying the company's presence in the industry.
Naidoo's appointment follows the recent retirement of Greg Bortz, creating a vacancy that Naidoo was well-suited to fill. With his extensive experience in governance, business development, and job creation, Naidoo is expected to drive growth and success for Race Coast in both KZN and the Western Cape.
The appointment of Sadha Naidoo as dual board chair of Race Coast marks a significant milestone for the company, as it continues to evolve and expand its presence in the coastal racing industry. With a strong leadership team in place, Race Coast is poised for success in the years to come.
Key points
- Sadha Naidoo appointed non-executive chairperson of Race Coast's Western Cape and KZN boards
- Naidoo's appointment aims to streamline business operations across racing regions
- The newly constituted boards include Zandile Maseko, Suren Rampersadh, Morgan Shandu, Dean Sawarjith, and Kaamilah Finch
