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What are the region-
specific challenges
when implementing
new technologies
in Africa?
that our teams always work towards
a substantial, long-term goal.
What do you think is the current hot
technology talking point?
Over the next year we will continue to see
clients requiring technology partners that
simplify solutions for them and a partner
that is easy to engage with – especially in
volatile times where needs are constantly
changing – yet additional investment
is not an option. This means optimising
solutions within current structures to provide
effective business outcomes – with less
effort. The industry is evolving so rapidly that
companies are worried about the correct
product or service to choose, they need
guidance and a trusted partner to advise
them on this – this will be a main business
driver in the technology.
How do you deal with stress and
unwind outside the office?
I enjoy playing golf and am an avid reader of
biographies, history and business literature.
If you could go back and change one
career decision what would it be?
Technology advances are
mostly in big cities. Our
concern is that there is
too much concentration
to urban areas, thus
disadvantage the already
disadvantaged rural folk.
Rollout and deployment of high-speed fibre
for instance is still very limited to urban
centres. We see legacy 2–3G still very
“
YOU CONSTANTLY
NEED TO ADAPT
TO CHANGES
AROUND YOU
AND HAVE THE
ABILITY TO LEAD
AND INFLUENCE
SITUATIONS,
SO YOU REMAIN
RELEVANT.
“
BE PRACTICAL,
BE DRIVEN, BE
COURAGEOUS, BE
ACCOUNTABLE.
much prevalent in rural areas; and yet 5G
deployment is around the corner. Technology
and its advance must be equitable if we are
to reduce the inequality gap.
What changes to your job role have
you seen in the last year and how do
you see these developing in the next
12 months?
In South Africa, executive entrepreneurs
are faced with many challenges. You need
to be a well-rounded executive, not just
a technical capable manager. We are
faced with ever challenging labour issues,
statutory and regulatory issues. These
matters are very difficult for entrepreneurs
to comprehend.
What advice would you offer
somebody aspiring to obtain C-level
position in your industry?
You constantly need to adapt to changes
around you and have the ability to lead and
influence situations, so you remain relevant.
Be practical, be driven, be courageous, be
accountable. I do not subscribe to self-
entitlement. Believing in oneself is what
drives me. n
I do not have any career regrets.
What do you currently identify as
the major areas of investment in
your industry?
The industry’s efforts to drive empowerment,
transformation and skills development
have lost momentum in recent years, and
while multinationals have well-established
go-to-market channels in South Africa, there
is more that can be done to empower and
create a dynamic local partner network.
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