The Black Management Forum (BMF) says it had expected MTN to appoint a black replacement for Sifiso Dabengwa, who resigned as CEO last year, following the company’s hefty fine for allegedly breaching Nigeria’s its terms and conditions for its operating licence.
Instead, the organisation that serves exclusively the interests of black professionals says is it disappointed that Rob Shuter, Dabengwa’s replacement as Group President and CEO is white.
The BMF says the MTN’s move signals “lack of transformation in corporate South Africa”.
“The BMF’s position is informed by the clear reversal of black representation in top JSE listed companies. There is a general unwillingness for transformation at top management level which has resulted in the decline in the number of black South African CEOs” laments BMF President, Mncane Mthunzi, in a statement.
“MTN may put forward reasons it argues to be valid for the appointment of its new CEO, however, the company would undoubtedly agree that it has squandered a good opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to transformation. Prior to this appointment, MTN had demonstrated exemplary leadership by successively having black CEOs,” he adds.
Shuter, who is currently the CEO of Vodafone Group’s European Cluster, is expected to take MTN’s top job in 2017. Shuter has previously held senior positions at Vodacom, Nedbank and Standard Bank.
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