New MTN president, CEO appointed

20 Dec 2010

The MTN Group board of directors has announced Sifiso Dabengwa, currently the group chief operating officer, as MTN Group chief executive and president to succeed Phuthuma Nhleko when he steps down on 31 March 2011.

Dabengwa, aged 53, has a BSc Electrical Engineering and an MBA degree. Prior to joining the MTN Group in 1999 he was an executive director at Eskom. His MTN career started as MD of the South African operations. In 2004, he was promoted to COO and in a dual role, was also seconded to the position of CEO of MTN Nigeria, to oversee MTN Nigeria's growth and consolidation. Since returning to South Africa, Dabengwa has worked closely with Nhleko in the development and execution of the group's growth strategy.

CEO for MTNI to be appointed

Given the strong growth and development of MTN's international operations (MTNI), it has been decided to abolish the position of COO and in its stead to appoint a CEO of MTNI to focus more intensely on the opportunities available to MTNI. An executive search to identify and appoint a suitable candidate for this post is currently in process.

A formalised subsidiary board structure for MTNI is in the process of being set up and the board has advise that Nhleko has accepted an invitation to join the MTN board again as non-executive vice chairman and to become non-executive chairman of the MTNI board of directors. These appointments will take effect from 1 October 2011.