MTN hires former Post Office boss

Johannesburg, 29 Sept 2004

Mobile operator MTN has appointed the former CEO of the South African Post Office, Maanda Manyatshe, to take up the post of MD at MTN SA.

Manyatshe will replace the former MD, Sifiso Dabengwa, who relocated to Lagos at the beginning of August in order to manage the company`s operation in Nigeria in his capacity as group COO.

The new MD has previously held top-level positions at Swaziland Brewers and Swaziland Bottling Company, as well as at Engen, Shell, and the universities of Venda and Fort Hare.

Manyatshe also serves on various boards and committees, including Uthingo and the Presidential Commission on Information Technology, as well as serving as chairman of the board of Postbank and the Document Exchange Company.

"In order to address the new competitive challenges in what is becoming an increasingly converged communications sector, Manyatshe`s experience in providing good service and improving operational efficiencies will be of great benefit to us," says Phuthuma Nhleko, CEO of MTN.

Nhleko says that during Manyatshe`s five-year tenure at the Post Office, he was instrumental in turning the operation to profitability for the first time in 200 years.

"Karel Pienaar has been acting MD in the interim, and he will now return to his role as group technology and information officer."

MTN shows Nigerian potential

In other news, MTN Nigeria will sponsor the Made in Nigeria Exhibition (MINEX), which began yesterday and runs until 1 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. It is the first of a series of annual events aimed at building a positive image of Nigeria in the rest of the world.

"We have agreed to sponsor the event, because we believe that Nigeria is a good investment opportunity and we would like to make a contribution to the marketing of its potential as a country," says Joke Giwa, chief corporate affairs officer at MTN Nigeria.

The exhibition showcases Nigerian merchandise, as well as paintings and sculptures in an exhibition entitled Reflex.

"Our experience in Nigeria has proven very rewarding and we owe a great deal to our stakeholders for their support in growing our business, so the sponsorship of MINEX is just a small token of our appreciation," says Dr Yvonne Muthien, group executive for corporate affairs.