Alan as Minister of Comms?

KirPlunk

KirPlunk

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Just spit balling here... but who would also like to see Mr Alan Knot Craig as SA's next minister of communications?
 
I think it will be great, but it is unlikely to happen. He has previously said that he will not take such a position. Even better will be Alan Knott-Craig as Telkom CEO!
 
FYI: (sorry, i didn't know too much about him...)

Alan Knott-Craig has served as a managing director of Vodacom (Pty) Limited since 1993 and chief executive officer of Vodacom Group since October 1996. Prior to 1993, Mr. Knott-Craig was the senior general manager of mobile communications at Telkom until 1993, when he left to join Vodacom. Mr. Knott-Craig holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (Cum Laude) from the University of Cape Town and a Master of Business Leadership degree from the University of South Africa and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa in 2006. He was inducted as one of the eight Gold Members of the GSM Association"s 2001 inaugural "Roll of Honor" for his contribution to bringing mobile communications to South Africa. He serves as a Commissioner on the Presidential National Commission on Information Society & Development for ICTs. In June 2008, Alan Knott Craig announced his decision to step down as chief executive officer of the Vodacom Group effective from September 30, 2008. He is expected to remain as consulting chief executive officer until the end of the 2009 financial year.
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he will sure as hell know a little more than some 71 year old lady...
 
I met Alan a few times, and he is certainly bright, very knowledgeable and a great businessman. He gets things done, which will be particularly valuable in Government.
 
I tend to disagree, I don't think he would be a good choice as I doubt we would see decrease's in call costs and bandwidth in this country under his leadership.

It would be status quo, similar pricing on all the networks and no real competition driving down prices.

We need someone who is young and vibrant and prepared to shakeup the market.
 
I met Alan a few times, and he is certainly bright, very knowledgeable and a great businessman. He gets things done, which will be particularly valuable in Government.
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this is SA... I don't think the government knows the definition of "getting things done..."
 
warwickw said:
I tend to disagree, I don't think he would be a good choice as I doubt we would see decrease's in call costs and bandwidth in this country under his leadership.

It would be status quo, similar pricing on all the networks and no real competition driving down prices.

We need someone who is young and vibrant and prepared to shakeup the market.
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I tend to disagree... Alan is a very dynamic person with allot of experience and knowledge regarding the local ICT landscape... if his objective is to drive up profits and bring a private communications company to the top of it's game then that is exactly what he is going to do....

But if his aim and mission is to liberalize the local market and put SA on the digital map then brother, I think he will have everything in his toolbelt he might need to execute the plan like I think he would.
 
Might be good. Might not be.

I think he has to many contacts in the industry and ofcourse has alot of money tied up in Voda.

If he can be fair to all the industry players which I know he can be, than he's the best man for the job!
 
Problem is even though Alan has left Vodacom I'm sure he still owns a sizable portion of shares in the company, as such he would not be impartial and drive them to lower costs to his fellow citizens.

I agree he is a fantastic business person, and the person I would want driving my business to success, however not the correct person to implement swift changes forcing the industry to lower costs and hence lower their profit margins.
 
If I had to cast my vote it would be on him... I cannot think of a better candidate.

Here's to you Mr Knot Craig!
 
The problem is that we want somebody who will not be tainted by shareholding of their own... Maybe we need a council of the wise in the ministry. Not in a supportive role but in a collective ministerial position. Maybe a group of 9 or so people retired from the industry that even though they have shares in telecoms can steer the environment to greater competition and fluidity.
 
antowan said:
The problem is that we want somebody who will not be tainted by shareholding of their own... Maybe we need a council of the wise in the ministry. Not in a supportive role but in a collective ministerial position. Maybe a group of 9 or so people retired from the industry that even though they have shares in telecoms can steer the environment to greater competition and fluidity.
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I have to agree - having another minister with a vested interest in a companies share price rather than the well being of the nation shouldnt be encouraged.
 
antowan said:
The problem is that we want somebody who will not be tainted by shareholding of their own... Maybe we need a council of the wise in the ministry. Not in a supportive role but in a collective ministerial position. Maybe a group of 9 or so people retired from the industry that even though they have shares in telecoms can steer the environment to greater competition and fluidity.
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Great argument.... wish that can be done.
 
rpm said:
I met Alan a few times, and he is certainly bright, very knowledgeable and a great businessman. He gets things done, which will be particularly valuable in Government.
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...and he used to play a mean game of Action Cricket as well, in his Telkom days :D Wouldn't mind seeing somebody that actually understands telecoms in charge of it, whatever his other "maybe conflicting" interests. Can't be worse than the current bunch
 
I thought he had health problems. That would rule him out as President. He's also the wrong colour or they would have shortlisted people like Manuel. We're also assuming he's ANC.
 
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