MTN Group appoints operations executive

Johannesburg/Kampala - MTN Group today announced the appointment of Themba Khumalo, currently MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, as Operations Executive for the group.

Khumalo's appointment is part of MTN Group's recent changes to the company's organisational model to improve organisational effectiveness.

As Operations Executive, Khumalo will be responsible for managing 13 MTN operations in: Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Congo Brazzaville, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, Yemen and Zambia.

Announcing the changes, MTN Group President and CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa, said Khumalo's successor in Uganda would be announced soon.

“We always look forward with hope and optimism, leaving behind a legacy of achievements in the way we do business. The enterprising spirit within MTN energises our efforts to do better in Uganda while sustaining our unwavering focus in customer service and our broad-based corporate social responsibility,” he said.

Khumalo joined MTN South Africa in 1994 following a long career in fixed-line telecommunications, and has operated in a number of senior positions in MTN, including being Chief Executive Officer in Swaziland, Rwanda and currently in Uganda.

A holder of a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa (USA), he has also served on a number of boards in Swaziland and MTN operations, including MTN Uganda. Khumalo has acquired over 20 years' experience in the telecommunications industry.

MTN Uganda Chairman, Charles Mbire, said Khumalo's appointment would bolster the group's position as a leading telecommunications firm in Africa, and commended him for his steady management in Uganda over the last three years.

“We have been happy with Themba's steady hand in the face of various challenges such as the global recession, as well as increasing local competition. MTN Uganda has continued to grow steadily in terms of subscriber numbers and market share,” Mbire said.

Since joining MTN Uganda in 2009, Khumalo has overseen a number of key successes. Key to note is the launch of the first ever Mobile Money service in Uganda; MTN Mobile Money has been an exceptional success with a significant impact on the lives of Ugandans. Also under his tenure, MTN Uganda has achieved close to 60% growth in subscribers, maintaining its leadership in a highly competitive market with intense price wars. There have also been a number of investments made towards network modification and enhancements - the introduction of the biggest 3G+ network in the market is key to note in this sphere.

The Operations Executive will report to the newly appointed Group Chief Operating Executive (GCOE), Ahmad Farroukh, formerly MTN Group Vice-President for the West and Central Africa (WECA) region.

- Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs