A week has passed since the announcement of Papi Molotsane's departure from the top spot at Telkom. While speculation continues to grow as to the reasons for his sudden exit - and whether it was consensual - I find myself wondering at the advert the company will place in seeking his replacement.
When considering the position, it is clear only individuals with multiple personality disorder need apply. After all, the successful candidate will have to please the diametrically opposed requirements of government, shareholders, business and consumers.
As competition enters the telecoms space, the successful candidate will have to initiate a campaign to remove market perceptions of bullying behaviour. It may become necessary for Telkom's new leader to acquire the services of US political party advisors on how to embark on a rip-roaring campaign trail. Particular attention should be paid to the amount of babies that should be kissed in any one place to avoid the attention of the Child Protection Services.
In order to please government, Telkom's new head will need to significantly reduce the price of telecoms, introduce "true" broadband and make broadband accessible to all. The successful candidate will also be expected to ensure the company invests in infrastructure that will, in turn, provide commercial returns, but not in excess of those firms that have not invested in the infrastructure.
To keep its non-governmental shareholders happy, Telkom's new CEO will need to turn around a company to face an era where its traditional revenue streams no longer experience widespread demand. While these shareholders will be more than happy for the fixed-line giant to reduce the costs of services, its chief will need to find ways to grow profit margins so that its bottom line is not hurt.
Indeed, he or she will have to ensure revenue and profit achieve moderate growth at the very least.
Play the game
When considering the position, it is clear only individuals with multiple personality disorder need apply.
Kimberly Guest, senior journalist
As a company listed on the both the JSE and New York Stock Exchange, Telkom's new chief will have to negotiate the minefield that is risk reporting. Any indication in these reports to US investors that government is placing any sort of pressure on the company, could quite easily be misconstrued by local politicians as criticism. Failure to report these risks will result in an investigation by the US Securities Exchange Commission and could lead to its delisting in that country.
In fact, the candidate will need a fair amount of political clout as Telkom enters negotiations with government and its agencies. However, the person must not be a political player - even if indirectly - as this could lead to undue pressure being placed on the way the conglomerate is run.
Of course, the new chief will need to soothe the ruffled feathers of those employees who chose to stay, but perhaps aren't being effective and efficient in their roles. Any mention of a staff exodus - which in my experience could mean one or two key personnel - will undoubtedly harm confidence in the new regime. Failure to bring about change will also be criticised.
Finally, the new person will also need to have a touch of the masochist, as he or she will become the face of the company the country most loves to hate. Catapulted into households, boardrooms and meeting places across the land, the successor will no doubt find he/she is referred to in terms that are far from complimentary. This should never bother the person in any way.
Looking through these requirements, I find myself wondering if Molotsane did in fact resign. After all, how much punishment can one person take when he has little option but to fail in one of the many demands on his role?
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