Telkom CEO on the right track – MWEB ISP boss

“Telkom’s focus is now very much on the South African market, which is where it should be.”

Jan Vermeulen

May 6, 2012

Nombulelo “Pinky” Moholi, who took the helm at Telkom in April 2011, has made a difference to ADSL in SA according to the CEO of MWEB ISP, Derek Hershaw.

MWEB is well known for introducing well-priced uncapped ADSL accounts to consumers under its “Free the Web” campaign which began in March 2010.

“I think she had a lot of internal political issues to deal with, which she would appear to have done,” Hershaw said during a recent interview with local technology pocast, Let’s Talk Geek. “Which is important because she’s got to run that business and it’s difficult to do if there’s constant political infighting going on.”

Hershaw said that Moholi has also made some tough decisions around getting rid of some of Telkom’s previous bad investments.

Telkom’s acquisition and subsequent shedding of Multi-Links in Nigeria reportedly cost the company around 7 billion Rand.

“Their focus is now very much on the South African market, which is where it should be,” Hershaw said.

Hershaw added that the amount of money Telkom will be spending on the planned upgrades of their fixed-line infrastructure is also an indication that Moholi appreciates and values their network and infrastructure.

“I think they’re going to continue playing in the mobile space through 8ta, but they’re not neglecting ADSL,” Hershaw said, adding that he believes that it is a very encouraging sign to industry as a whole.

“All round, I think she’s on the right track,” Hershaw said.