South Africa: MTN and MultiChoice Witness Changes in Leadership

MultiChoice Group and MTN South Africa has both revealed significant changes in their senior management teams.

MultiChoice’s group executive for regulatory and policy affairs, Clarissa Mack, is set to retire on March 31 after dedicating 25 years to the company. Simultaneously, at MTN, Jacqui O’Sullivan, the chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, has submitted her resignation and will depart by the end of this month.

Former chairman of the communications regulator Icasa, Keabetswe Modimoeng  will take over Mack’s role. Modimoeng, who joined MultiChoice a year ago as group executive for corporate affairs and stakeholder relations, is set to assume the position.

MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela, in internal communications reviewed by TechCentral, disclosed that Mack has chosen to “hang up her regulatory ‘boxing gloves’ and retire.”

“Clarissa is responsible for the creation and development of the regulatory team that we have today,” Mawela said. “She had the foresight, in advance, to also set up a markets and competition division in the regulatory department and that foresight has meant that we are well prepared for the myriad competition matters and challenges that we currently face”.

Mack will continue to serve in an “advisory capacity” for two years to facilitate a smooth transition, as stated by Mawela.

During this period, the regulatory affairs and corporate affairs functions will be consolidated into a single unit under Modimoeng’s leadership.

TechCentral has gathered that Jacqui O’Sullivan, with six years of service at MTN South Africa, has tendered her resignation from the mobile operator. While her official departure is scheduled for the end of February, CEO Charles Molapisi mentioned in a staff statement that O’Sullivan will remain available to MTN until the end of June.

“During her time with us, Jacqui has made a significant contribution to growing and enhancing the reputation of MTN South Africa. We are grateful to her for the contribution she has made in her role, but also as a member of the executive.”