JSE-listed company EOH has appointed Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi as chairman with immediate effect.
Mkhwanazi’s appointment follows the resignation of Asher Bohbot, EOH founder, non-executive chairman and former CEO, in February.
In a SENS statement this afternoon, EOH CEO Stephen van Coller said: “We are very pleased with the appointment of Dr Mkhwanazi to the board. His track record of providing courageous leadership in challenging business environments, coupled with his commitment to sound corporate governance, were key drivers for his appointment.
“We believe Dr Mkhwanazi is a strong addition to the board and will reinforce the newly-appointed executive team on our journey to ethical leadership and building the EOH of the future.”
Furthermore, Mkhwanazi will lead board deliberations on all group matters, and more immediately, the findings of the investigation commissioned by EOH into public sector contracts being undertaken by ENSafrica.
Having been presented the preliminary findings, Mkhwanazi and the board will assess these, ask for additional work as may be required and engage with relevant stakeholders where appropriate. Relevant findings and associated actions will be disclosed as soon as practically possible after the next steps have been agreed by the board, notes the statement.
The IT services company has had a tumultuous time in recent years, facing numerous allegations. More recently was the cancellation of a Microsoft channel partner agreement after an anonymous tip-off about alleged malfeasance.
Commenting on his appointment, Mkhwanazi said: "I am excited to be joining a company at the forefront of technology and job creation in South Africa. EOH is at the heart of the country's future growth prospects. I am impressed by the way new management is tackling legacy issues and also by their clear vision for our future. I believe the more than 11 000 staff members deserve transparent leadership and I am looking forward to the challenge."
Prior to joining EOH, Mkhwanazi was chairman of BHP Billiton in SA from 2008 to 2015, and previously president and COO of South Africa Aluminium with BHP Billiton from February 2005. He has also served as CEO of Bateman Africa and the National Electricity Regulator (NER), which became NERSA in 2004.
Before that, he held senior positions at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. During this time, he is said to have played a key role in the formulation of the South African National Science and Technology Policy.
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