Serame Taukobong - Afrikan Heroes

Sipho Maseko to Step Down as Telkom CEO Earlier Than Planned

December 14, 2021

Telkom Group has announced that CEO Sipho Maseko will step down at the end of this month, half a year earlier than originally planned.

In a statement to shareholders issued via the JSE on Tuesday, Telkom said CEO-designate Serame Taukobong will take the reins from Maseko on 1 January 2022.

“The leadership transition plan is progressing effectively. As part of this plan, Sipho will step down from the

Telkom board and those of subsidiaries, and remain an employee of Telkom until 30 June 2022. During

this period, Sipho will be available to the new group CEO and the board in an advisory capacity,” it said.

“The board is confident of the stability of the group and would like to thank Sipho for his commitment to an orderly leadership transition,” it added.

Maseko, who joined Telkom on 1 April 2013, is credited with turning around the company’s fortunes. At the time, Telkom was in dire straits. The share price more than tripled on his watch as he set about restructuring and streamlining the organisation to better compete in a liberalised telecommunications market.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Telkom Appoints New Group CEO to Replace Maseko

August 5, 2021

Serame Taukobong, the Group CEO Designate, Telkom Group

South Africa’s telecoms giant has announced Sipho Maseko’s successor as CEO of the Telkom Group. The telco has appointed Serame Taukobong as the Group CEO Designate with effect from 1 October 2021. Taukobong will assume the role of chief executive after Maseko makes his official exit from the company on 30 June 22.

“Serame is a seasoned executive, with deep experience in the ITC sector in South African and the continent,” said Sello Moloko, Chairperson of Telkom, about the new appointment.

Mokolo says that the organisation was pleased that its extensive search process confirmed the calibre of Telkom’s people and that the appointment of Serame will further ensure the continuity of Telkom’s value unlock strategy.

“I know I will be taking over a solid business with a capable & committed team,” comments Taukobong about his appointment. Taukobong previously worked under Maseko’s leadership for three years.

“The team and I are conscious of the challenges that lie ahead and are committed to attracting and retaining the best people, winning in the market place and delivering value for shareholders,” he concludes.

Taukobong currently serves as Telkom’s CEO of Consumer & Small Business, joining the telco in 2018, and previously worked as an executive for the MTN Group, where his most important tenures were as Head of Marketing for MTN South Africa and as the CEO of MTN Ghana.

Telkom’s current and soon to be former CEO, Sipho Maseko, made his intentions to step down known last month.

“I feel now is the right time for me to step aside and make way for a new leader who will take Telkom to even greater heights. I will stay on until June 2022 to ensure a smooth transition for my successor,” Maseko said.

“I am most thankful to my colleagues across our country, for trusting me to lead Telkom, and for supporting me throughout this journey of transition.”

Maseko joined Telkom on 1 April 2013 during a time when the firm was facing “severe challenges”.

During his eight-year tenure, Maseko managed to turn its business around – evolving it from a traditional fixed business to a portfolio of businesses that comprises the Mobile, IT, Wholesale infrastructure business and the Masts and Tower portfolio.