Vodacom names Joosub new CEO‚ Uys set to step down

Pieter Uys. Source: www.memeburn.com

Uys will be replaced by Shameel Joosub‚ with the appointment taking effect from 1 September to ensure a smooth transition‚ the board said.

Joosub is the CE of Vodafone Spain. He was previously MD of Vodacom SA and a director of the Vodacom board from 2000 until 2010‚ prior to his transfer to Vodafone Spain. He joined Vodacom in 1994.

Uys joined Vodacom in 1993 "and led the development of the company's industry-leading network before being appointed as MD of Vodacom SA in 2001"‚ the company said. He became the chief operating officer of Vodacom Group in 2004 and led the roll-out of 3G services across the group.

Uys led the group's debut listing on the JSE‚ achieving a shareholder return of 96% since listing.

"Under discussion for almost a year"

Vodacom head of corporate affairs Maya Makenjee said that Uys' departure had been under discussion for almost a year as part of its succession planning. "Pieter has been with Vodacom for almost 20 years and spent the last four years as CEO‚" Makenjee said.

She said that part of the succession plan is that (former Vodacom SA managing director) Shameel Joosub would return to the country to take up the mantel. Jossub is currently on secondment to Vodacom's major shareholder Vodafone.

"Uys will only be leaving in March next year and right now we are ensuring that he gives Shameel a proper handover‚" Makanjee said.

News of Uys' departure comes less than a month after Vodacom chief operating officer Sipho Maseko quit unexpectedly after spending less than nine months in his position.