Telkom group CEO Reuben September will retire from his position and resign his directorship at the expiry of his contract in November 2010.
In a statement on Friday, Telkom said a successor to September would be announced in due course.
“The depth of Telkom’s existing leadership experience and expertise will ensure that the period of transition will be a smooth one,” the communications company said.
It said that as group CEO, September’s vision in terms of Telkom’s transformation and growth imperatives was such that he became known as “an explorer of new frontiers; a leader who understood the changing nature of the ICT industry and who guided Telkom into areas with growth potential”.
His pivotal role in leading the disposal of the 50% interest in Vodacom, Telkom’s restructuring, the launch of Cybernest and Telkom’s entry into the mobile market later this year “attest to September’s strategic vision and leadership over many years”.
September joined the former Department of Posts and Telecommunications in 1977 as a pupil technician.
“Recognising his potential, the department gave him an opportunity to pursue his tertiary studies at the University of Cape Town, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and electronic engineering, thus becoming the first black engineer to be employed by the department.”
Telkom said that during the past 33 years, September had assumed responsibility for a number of engineering and commercial positions, including managing executive for technology and network services, chief technical officer and chief operating officer.
“His long and distinguished career culminated in his appointment as acting CEO [April 2007] before becoming Telkom’s CEO in November 2007.”
He was appointed as a director of the board in May 2007 and he also served as a director of Vodacom. — Sapa