Musical chairs

Under ordinary circumstances, congratulations would be in order for Setumo Mohapi, who has been gifted with what must be the most difficult parastatal to rejuvenate.

Mohapi's appointment at the rather embattled State IT Agency (SITA) reflects his talent - about which I am in no doubt - but also a rather serious lack of a pool of leadership talent.

Mohapi was appointed as Sentech CEO in November 2010, shortly after the state signals distributor had started coming out of a rather nasty time. He joined Sentech at about the same time as its then chairman, Quraysh Patel, quit.

Patel - who only spent six months at the agency - had to lead the board in making several radical decisions to bring the national signal distributor out of the red and make it financially viable. This included bringing disciplinary charges against several former execs, tightening of financial controls, shortening payment times for clients, and cutting costs.

By the time Patel left, Sentech had R250 million cash in the bank, compared to a forecast loss of R100 million. The agency had - in 2010 - been through nothing short of a hectic time after a new board was appointed in April of that year.

During its annus horribilis, COO Beverly Ngwenya replaced former CEO Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane, but subsequently resigned in the face of disciplinary action. CFO Mohammed Cassim was placed on suspension pending a disciplinary process.

That was the Sentech that Mohapi was conscripted to rescue. And rescue it he did. Even the official opposition - known for pointing out governmental lapses - has nothing but praise for his efforts at Sentech.

During Mohapi's time at Sentech, he has taken what was once described as a "problem child" by National Treasury and turned it into the only entity that is actually on track with SA's much-delayed digital migration project; regardless of the reasons behind other, numerous, delays.

In addition, there hasn't been a whiff of scandal at Sentech during his tenure. Either it's well hidden, or the man has actually done a fantastic job. I suspect it's the latter: why else would he be moved to head up an entity that clearly needs his skills?

Mohapi is clearly more than capable, with years of ICT experience and a master's degree from the venerable MIT, and is also an affable person who is easy to talk to. He doesn't pull punches, but he also doesn't hide behind government speak.

And then, there is SITA. Government's IT procurement arm seems to have taken over the mantle of problem child.

Mohapi is set to become the agency's 18th CEO since it was established in 1999. Outgoing CEO Freeman Nomvalo, who initially joined for one year in 2013, was government's latest appointee to try and rescue it.

Nomvalo replaced Blake Mosley-Lefatola, who left rather suddenly eight months before his contract came to an end. Mosley-Lefatola's exact reasons for leaving were never made clear, but his departure was seen as a blow to government's bid to spruce up the agency's efficiencies and operations.

Nomvalo was brought in to assist "in ensuring the finalisation of the implementation of the board turnaround intervention and in enhancing SITA's ability to fulfil its legislative mandate". I dare say that move has not been successful.

Unless this country acts with a lot more decisiveness and speed than ever before, we have nothing short of a catastrophe on our hands.

Talk to anyone in the industry who has bid for a SITA contract and they will tell you the agency's turnaround times are still an issue, and several government departments have been shopping outside of its framework, a clear indication it is failing in its mandate.

Good luck, Mohapi, you'll need it.

What remains to be answered is who will replace Mohapi at Sentech. I guess we'll all just have to wait and see...

But, it's not like Sentech can carry on without a leader. Even though it's on track with government's digital plans, it still needs a capable head; one to steer it through the next few years without calamity.

So, why would Cabinet decide to move Mohapi? Clearly, it has seen the writing on the wall and knows SITA needs help. But, did it really have to be Mohapi? Sure, he's done his three years at Sentech, but why not rather leave him there to carry on doing a good job?

Sadly, the only rationale can be because this country does not have enough leaders with the gumption, steel, knowhow and execution ability to handle all its top entities. Just look at the mess that is Eskom.

It seems as if, to use a clich'e, government's chickens have come home to roost. The ICT sector has been lamenting the lack of a skills pool for goodness knows how long - from mid- to top-level, there just isn't enough talent.

I hate to be the one to say "I told you so" but there it is. And unless this country acts with a lot more decisiveness and speed than ever before, we have nothing short of a catastrophe on our hands.

As long as it isn't too late already.