There is still no word from Cisco Systems on the sudden resignation of its sub-Saharan Africa GM, Mokati Ramphele.
It is understood that Cisco`s top management was locked in a high-level meeting earlier today, presumably discussing Ramphele`s resignation. Ramphele took up the position in June last year.
A source at the company said this morning that the resignation has not yet been confirmed, but the company has yet to release an official statement.
Industry sources say Ramphele did not fit into Cisco Systems` corporate culture and overstepped management policies driven from the US and European headquarters.
This was confirmed by a locally-based spokesman, who said the move was prompted by a management style difference. However, he refused to be drawn on further details, but would only say the "separation" was amicable.
"Cisco does not usually comment on personal issues of this nature," he said.
The spokesman also confirmed that Mark de Simone, Cisco VP for the Middle East and Africa, will take over the running of the sub-Saharan operations, while a suitable replacement for Ramphele is sought.
Ramphele was the first South African to take the reins of Cisco`s local operation and his appointment was seen as a coup for the multinational`s local empowerment strategy. Cisco said at the time that it illustrated "the group`s commitment to operational leadership and skills transfer for black economic empowerment".
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