Microsoft head to leave
Microsoft South Africa’s managing director, Pfungwa Serima, is leaving the company to pursue new business opportunities. Serima announced his resignation this week, but will stay on until the end of July.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Microsoft," said Serima. "It has been a very exciting period for the business and I am proud to have contributed to the company’s many achievements over the past four years. I have wanted to pursue business interests outside of Microsoft for some time and now that we have come to the end of our fiscal year and moved to the next level, I believe it is the right time to seek pastures new and embark upon fresh challenges."
Microsoft said that Fernando de Sousa, a senior Middle East and Africa (MEA) executive, would take on the role of acting managing director for Microsoft SA. De Sousa, a South African ex-pat, will be based in South Africa from 1 July.
A long term successor to Serima has still not been selected.
Serima joined Microsoft SA in 2004 as services director, and assumed the MD position in 2006. Ali Faramawy, MEA area vice-president, said Serima’s tenure has been marked by "extremely strong growth" in Microsoft’s key mid-market and enterprise sector and its partner ecosystem. "Pfungwa has been instrumental in driving customer satisfaction, addressing the unique technology needs of a diverse market, and growing the software business in South Africa and the region," said Faramawy.
"In line with his passion for skills development, his role included establishing and managing the first Microsoft Graduate Academy, an initiative which aims to develop IT skills in South Africa on a large scale. Under Pfungwa’s stewardship the company has delivered solid growth, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his contribution. We wish him the very best for the future."
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