Vodacom group CEO Alan Knott-Craig this morning confirmed he would leave the cellular operator.
According to the company, Knott-Craig will step down in September, but will remain as consulting CEO until the end of the 2009 financial year.
Presenting to analysts this morning, Knott-Craig thanked employees, partners and shareholders for their contributions to Vodacom's success.
"Without you, this company wouldn't be where it is now. The only thing I will miss [about his role at Vodacom] is the people. But, I just want to go and do something different," he said.
At this stage, no successor is being named. However, Vodacom chairman Oyama Mabandla says this should happen "soon".
In the company's annual report, Mabandla praised Knott-Craig as a visionary.
"No other telecommunications operator in SA and certainly few in the world have enjoyed such consistency of quality leadership, I have no doubt that this has been one of Vodacom's most important competitive advantages," he says.
"I want to pay tribute here to one of the most impressive and far-sighted business leaders I have known. He has ignited a passion in thousands of people to build a network and provide communication services that have made a difference in the lives of millions," Mabandla added.
Knott-Craig noted in the annual report that this was a particularly "poignant report-back" for him.
"This will be the last time that I report on Vodacom's results. The past 15 years at the helm of Vodacom has been the defining time of my life. The time has come for a second generation of leaders to take over. This is a very positive development for Vodacom, as younger leaders with new and fresh thinking will rejuvenate the company," he commented.
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