We share with sadness the passing of Christopher 'Clem' Sunter, whose career in business leadership and scenario planning made him a prominent figure in South Africa’s corporate and public spheres.

Clem attended Twyford School from 1952 to 1957 before progressing to Winchester College. It was during his time at Winchester that he acquired the name “Clem”, after performing Oh My Darling, Clementine, the only piece he could play on the guitar. He went on to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford.

He began his career with Charter Consolidated in 1966 and joined Anglo American Corporation in Zambia in 1971, moving to the South African headquarters two years later. He spent much of his professional life in the Gold and Uranium Division, serving as Chairman and CEO from 1990 to 1996, when it was the world’s largest gold producer. He later chaired the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund, recognised as a leading corporate social responsibility initiative.

In the early 1980s, Clem established a scenario‑planning function within Anglo American, working with noted practitioners Pierre Wack and Ted Newland. His presentation The World and South Africa in the 1990s became influential during a critical period in the country’s transition, and he presented his work to FW de Klerk and the Cabinet in 1986. He also visited Nelson Mandela shortly before his release to discuss South Africa’s future.

Clem authored 14 books, several of them bestsellers, and was active in encouraging private‑sector engagement in the response to HIV/AIDS. His contributions were recognised with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cape Town, and he was consistently regarded by business leaders as one of the country’s most impactful speakers. His international engagements included presenting at the Central Party School in Beijing and facilitating discussions on global warming in New Delhi and London.

He married Margaret Rowland in 1969, and they had one daughter and two sons. Music and golf were among his long‑standing interests.

Clem Sunter will be remembered for his clear strategic thinking and his significant contribution to business and public dialogue in South Africa. The current President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has publicly shared his condolences. 

We are thinking of his wife and family at this time.