Bytes Document Solutions has appointed experienced businessman Wanda Sowazi as GM: new business. In this newly created position at Xerox`s sole authorised distributor in sub-Saharan Africa, Sowazi will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve outcomes and grow business in large, competitor-dominated accounts.
He will also assist the company`s South African channel partners, from dealers to concessionaires, in rapid BEE transformation in line with the company`s goals.
Sowazi brings experience gained working in large corporations such as Shell, Liberty and Vodacom.
"Wanda has assisted with the formation of start-up BEE ICT-based companies," says Rob Abraham, MD of Bytes Document Solutions. "His career path to date has given him an understanding of the nature of large organisations and an appreciation of the speed and nimbleness of small ones."
Having completed his BCom Accountancy degree at the University of Swaziland in 1982, and his MBA in strategic management at the United States International University in Nairobi and San Diego in 1983/4, Sowazi began his career as a sales representative at Shell SA. In his six years there he also worked as a business analyst and a network advisor, responsible for finding suitable sites for service station development and negotiating land acquisition or leasing.
From 1995, Sowazi was involved in the development of several black economic empowerment investments and joint ventures in the IT arena. These include the Litha Investment Group and Lesedi Corporate Technology. As executive director at Litha, he co-ordinated the development of a joint venture with Hitechnology for the assembly of motherboards, loading and testing of software, and the packaging of fully assembled PCs. He also trained a young black graduate who eventually attained ISO 9001 certification for the company.
He played a major role in the dealership joint venture signed with Brett Schachat Computing in the Northwest Province, and in the joint venture formed with Mustek to capitalise on opportunities that added value to the company`s core business of assembly and distribution.
"With my move to Bytes, I aim to make a significant contribution to the overall company objectives of growth and BEE transformation, and to play a meaningful role in the company`s senior management team," Sowazi says.
"Having worked in the sales and business development arena over the last 20 years, my educational background and entrepreneurial experience afford me the opportunity to do just that."
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