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New boss at Sentech

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 22 Oct 2015
Sentech's new chief executive Mlamli Booi has the tough task to ensure continued business efficiency.
Sentech's new chief executive Mlamli Booi has the tough task to ensure continued business efficiency.

Sentech has appointed ICT veteran, Mlamli Booi, to head up operations as the new CEO at the broadcasting signal distributor.

The organisation has been without a permanent chief executive since March, following the shock move by Cabinet to appoint then CEO Setumo Mohapi to head the State IT Agency (SITA).

In a statement, Sentech says Booi's deep understanding of the ICT sector renders him ideally suited to be the next CEO. Booi succeeds Mohapi, who was appointed as CEO of SITA effective 1 April, says the statement.

"The board has confidence in Mr Booi's ability to provide outstanding leadership and he embodies the experience, vision and leadership skills necessary to lead Sentech to greater heights," notes Mello Magatho, chairman of the board.

Despite positive sentiment from the board, the new CEO will have to go above and beyond to prove his worth following the progress Sentech achieved under the leadership of Mohapi.

Tough act to follow

During his five-year tenure at Sentech, Mohapi was admired in the industry for turning the state's signal distributor around.

Under Mohapi's leadership, Sentech moved from what was described as a "problem child" by National Treasury, to the only entity that was on track with SA's much-delayed digital migration project.

Democratic Alliance MP and shadow minister for telecommunications and postal services, Marian Shinn, says Mohapi was an inspirational leader with exceptional management skills. "He will be a difficult act to follow."

According to Shinn, Booi's first task should be to attract and retain skilled personnel.

"There is a need to fill vacant posts... ensure effective maintenance of equipment and investment in new equipment."

Shinn also notes one of the main challenges Booi will have to wrestle is the appropriate budget allocation to invest in infrastructure to support increasing diversity of ownership communications platforms.

Up for the challenge

As a former non-executive director at Sentech, Booi has a long history in the ICT sector and is well qualified for the position of CEO, says ICT analyst Adrian Schofield.

Schofield believes Booi has what it takes to carry on where Mohapi left off and continue to successfully lead Sentech.

"His range of experience in both private and public sectors equip him to carry out the role.

"Sentech's task is to connect people, mostly to the broadcasting networks but also the Internet services for government and public institutions. The rollout of the digital terrestrial television signal is 'top of mind' but Sentech has basically done its work for this," adds Schofield.

Who is Mlamli Booi?

According to Sentech, Booi has more than 20 years' experience in ICT engineering, policy, regulatory, strategy and management, and has worked in the industry in various positions since 1986.

Booi holds an MSc degree in engineering from the University of Cape Town, and a postgraduate diploma in project management.

He will be responsible for working with the Sentech board and management team in delivering on the company's strategy and fulfilling its mandate, says the signal distributor.

Commenting on his appointment, Booi says he is honoured by the opportunity to lead Sentech as the new CEO.

"I look forward to working with the leadership team and the board. No doubt we have a lot of work ahead, but I can assure all our stakeholders that fulfilling the SOC's mandate remains our top priority," he states.

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