By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 26 Sept 2007
Miko Alexis Rwayitare, 65, known as the "father of African telecoms", died yesterday in Belgium.
Rwayitare was president of Telecel International at the time of his death. He founded the company in 1986, in then Zaire (the Democratic Republic of Congo).
According to a statement released by the company and Rwayitare's family, he died "after developing complications following routine surgery on Monday, in a Brussels hospital".
Rwayitare is credited with making the first mobile call in Africa in 1987 and subsequently building various successful mobile networks.
He is survived by his wife, Consolatta, and seven children. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
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