The board of M&G Media has unanimously approved a restructured management with the appointment of Hoosain Karjieker as chief executive, and Anastacia Martin as publisher of all its print and online operations, board chairperson Professor Malegapuru Makgoba announced on Tuesday.
Trevor Ncube, current CE, will move into the position of executive deputy chairperson of the company.
Karjieker previously held the position of chief operating officer, and Anastacia Martin was the managing director of publishing. These changes will become effective from September 1.
Makgoba said the board was putting into place a succession plan that would see new blood running the day-to-day operations of the company while freeing Ncube to focus on strategic issues and explore business opportunities in Zimbabwe as well as in the wider region.
Karjieker and Martin will both be taking on additional responsibilities from Ncube, who earlier this year announced plans to launch a new daily in Zimbabwe, the NewsDay. This project is awaiting government approval and is expected to take more of Ncube’s time. Ncube owns two other newspapers in Zimbabwe — the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard — among other business interests.
Following the announcement, Ncube said: â€We have exceptional talent in the company and I am delighted that Hoosain and Anastacia are being given an opportunity to run the company and we are confident they will take the company to the next level. I have done my bit and believe I should step back and give space and empower fresh thinking in the company.â€
Makgoba said the move was, in part, recognition of the contribution the pair had made to the company, adding that; ‘Hoosain has effectively been running the company while Anastacia has been exceptional and has impressed the board with her talent, dedication and work rate. The board is confident this pair will succeed and urges the staff to support them.â€
Karjieker said he was honoured and humbled by the recognition and looked forward to consolidating and growing the company in a competitive and depressed trading environment.
‘We have a powerful brand and a passionate and talented team and I look forward to the challenge that has been placed before me.â€
Martin, the first black woman newspaper publisher of a major media house in South Africa, takes over as newspapers face a stiff challenge from the internet.
‘Our brands are unique and our quality audience is key to sustainable growth, expanding markets and introducing new products across multi-platforms, said Martin.
‘We will continue to give our readers and advertisers brands that they can trust 24/7â€
These changes follow the appointment of Nic Dawes as editor-in-chief in July.
M&G Media owns the Mail & Guardian newspaper and M&G Online, which is South Africa’s oldest newspaper website. The company recently reacquired 65% of the shareholding in M&G Online from 24.com.
Circulation of the M&G newspaper has continued to strengthen, and the M&G Online remains among the top news websites in the country.
M&G Media also publishes the monthly Teacher newspaper and is 50% owner of Media Distribution Africa, a newspaper and magazine distribution company based in Cape Town.