Openserve CEO quits

Telkom veteran Althon Beukes has stepped down as CEO of the company’s wholesale fixed-line division Openserve.

Beukes has worked at the telecoms company for roughly three decades and has been at the helm of Openserve for four and a half years.

He previously served as the Telkom Group’s chief commercial officer, chief information officer, and chief procurement officer.

He also held several senior positions in Telkom’s enterprise unit BCX, where he served as chief of international business, chief operations officer, and Cybernest managing director.

In a media statement announcing the development, Beukes said he believed it was the right time to seek new career challenges after many successful years at the company.

He said this would allow fresh leadership to guide Openserve into the future under its OneTelkom strategy.

“I leave behind a strong and capable leadership team, fully committed to driving the continued success of this business in the new strategic trajectory of Telkom’s future,” Beukes stated.

Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong thanked Beukes for his service.

“We deeply appreciate Althon Beukes’s leadership and dedication over the years,” Taukobong said. “His vision and commitment have set Openserve up for continued success.”

“We thank him for his service to Telkom and our nation and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

Selby Khuzwayo, who has worked for Telkom for 34 years, will be acting as interim CEO while the company conducts the official recruitment process for a permanent replacement.

Khuzwayo currently serves as the chief regional officer for Openserve’s northern zone, including Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West.

Telkom said it was fortunate to have someone of Khuzwayo’s calibre to step into the role.

“Selby is a seasoned professional responsible for Build and Maintenance Operations of physical infrastructure with vast experience in operations management and tactical planning and over 18 years’ experience at executive level,” Telkom said.