Comutanet appoints Kenneth Maomela as Deputy Chairman and Pieter Groenewald as Deputy MD

Kenneth Maomela has been appointed Deputy Chairman at ComutaNet, Primedia’s integrated commuter media solutions company.

After gaining a National Diploma in teaching, Maomela discovered his true interest lay in the commercial arena, and he completed a marketing diploma with the Institute of Marketing Management in 1995. To further empower himself, he studied Sales Management in London before completing an MBA in General Management with Bond University, Australia, and is currently finalising a three-month JSE programme at Wits University in Investment Finance.

He joined ComutaNet as Commercial Director in 1999, having gained substantial sales management experience with companies such as Nestle, South African Breweries and Spoornet. Since his appointment, the company’s founder and Non Executive Chairman, Alan Prentice, has been his guide and mentor.

Says Maomela, “To be successful in business you need luck, brains, determination, and a focussed mentor, an experienced person who is willing to lead you down the right paths and to teach you the business.” This formula has certainly worked for Maomela, who has seized the opportunity and is being mentored and prepared by Primedia for the ComutaNet Chairmanship.

Pieter Groenewald, who joined ComutaNet in July 2000 as Financial Director, has been appointed Deputy Managing Director.

A Chartered Accountant, Pieter took his degree at the University of the Free State, and completed his articles with Ernst and Young before branching out into the commercial world. Pieter says he loves the cut and thrust of commerce, and particularly enjoys the commuter media and marketing industries.

Reporting to Ken Varejes, Pieter will also maintain a watching brief on the financial portfolio.

Commenting on the new appointments, Pillay says,”All appointments to and within Primedia follow our human development strategy, of recognising and promoting internal talent, and our transformation strategy, of developing and mentoring black executives into positions of sector expertise and operational leadership. My colleagues throughout Primedia join me in congratulating Ken, Kenny, Steve, and Pieter on their appointments and wish them ongoing success.”