MWeb's soon-to-be former CEO, Rudi Jansen, says the advent of uncapped Internet in 2010 was without doubt the highlight of his 15-year career with the country's second-largest Internet service provider (ISP).
MWeb announced on Tuesday that Jansen, CEO of the company since 2005, would step down at the end of February to “pursue new business interests outside the ISP sector”. Francois Theron, CEO of DSTV Mobile, has been appointed to take the helm.
Jansen says that, while it will be a sad day when he walks away from his office in Cape Town for the last time next month, he is sound in the knowledge that the Naspers subsidiary achieved what it set out to do.
“We have achieved what we set out to accomplish with uncapped Internet, which has changed the South African Internet landscape and I believe helped make SA a better place.”
Having achieved this goal and “exceptionally happy” with his experience at MWeb, Jansen feels it is time for him to pursue new challenges.
Jansen was one of MWeb's first employees when it was founded in 1997, having joined the start-up venture as head of finance. From 2003 to 2005, he was CFO of MIH's Internet segment, after which he took the reins at MWeb.
New challenge
Jansen believes one needs to continually challenge oneself, so as not to become complacent.
As far as his next challenge goes, Jansen says he does not want to reveal anything yet, as it is still “early days”. He notes, however, that it involves technology, and includes a combination of his own venture and “other companies”.
“Ultimately, it will afford me the freedom to look after my own initiative,” says Jansen. He adds that he will make a public announcement regarding this in due course.
While he admits that he will miss the “excitement of the industry”, Jansen says the ISP sector constitutes a small market and presents limited opportunities in Cape Town, which is where he wants to continue residing.
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