New GM for Cisco

By Iain Scott, ITWeb group consulting editor

Johannesburg, 29 Jun 2004

Networking giant Cisco Systems has named Mokati Ramphele as the general manager for its sub-Saharan African operations.

Ramphele, former GM of technology and operations at Nedcor, replaces Thorsten Freitag, who will assist Ramphele during the transition period.

While Freitag`s position has not been finalised, it is understood that he will work elsewhere in the Cisco group.

The first South African to hold the post, Cisco says Ramphele`s appointment illustrates the group`s commitment to operational leadership and skills transfer for black economic empowerment.

Mark de Simone, Cisco vice-president for the Middle East and Africa, says Ramphele`s global and regional experience, as well as local insights, made him the ideal candidate for the post.

Ramphele has 16 years` experience in Africa and elsewhere in the world with companies such as IBM and arivia.kom.