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UUNet`s CEO Meintjes bows out

Paul Vecchiatto
By Paul Vecchiatto, ITWeb Cape Town correspondent
Cape Town, 20 Nov 2003

UUNet CEO David Meintjes is stepping down as CEO of the Internet service provider, which is one of the largest in SA. However, he says will continue as a corporate development executive for the next six months.

In a letter distributed to UUNet clients yesterday, Meintjes says his decision to step down as CEO was not easy and was a lifestyle choice to allow him to spend more time with his family.

Carl Roberts, MCI`s chief of staff of its Europe, Middle East and Africa region, will take a more direct role in the local operation`s business until Meintjes` successor is appointed.

"I shall support Carl in his role until a suitable successor has been appointed. Carl is familiar with the African market and has worked for IBM in SA for a number of years," Meintjes says in his letter.

Speaking to ITWeb this morning, Meintjes says his commitment to UUNet as a corporate development executive is for a minimum of six months, but that it could be for longer.

"UUNet has a number of challenges to face, including those of deregulation within the telecoms industry and to position itself within the convergence framework. UUNet needs someone dedicated to those areas," he says.

Meintjes has been with UUNet for seven years and its CEO for the past two years. He took over from former CEO Steve Lightbody, who was killed in a motor accident.

Meintjes has steered the business through some of the most difficult times in its relatively short history, not least of which was the bankruptcy of its parent WorldCom, which now trades as MCI.

MCI was forced to review its overseas holdings and there was a question mark over the SA UUNet business, which was profitable, but not necessarily seen as core to getting its US parent back on track. However, a decision was taken by MCI, based on a report by Rand Merchant Bank, to retain the South African company.

UUNet has retained its market share, with Meintjes stating recently that the company`s revenue for the 12 months to December was expected to be about R890 million compared to R650 million received in the same period last year.

"As MCI emerges from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it will be able to give more impetus and focus to the local operation. However, in the past it did not have to do much as we were well managed," Meintjes says.

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