Yesterday's announcement that Telkom's acting-CEO, Reuben September, had been appointed to the company's board, has sparked speculation that September is close to getting the top job.
In a notice to shareholders, Telkom yesterday said it had made the appointment with immediate effect. This followed September's recent appointment as acting-CEO, it said.
One analyst, who preferred to remain unnamed, called the move a matter of procedure. "September had to be appointed to the board or else he would not have been able to attend the company's board meetings," he said.
However, another analyst says this could be the first move in cementing the top spot at the telecommunications operator.
"September is one of the top candidates in line for the job and has a very good chance of becoming CEO. As an operational manager, he has proved very effective, and ex-CEO Papi Molotsane proved that political 'sway' is less effective than industry know-how," he explains.
Nevertheless, the analyst adds that he hopes Telkom will look for outside skills as well.
"We would favour skills being brought in from offshore destinations. SA's vastly different telecoms landscape is going to require a paradigm shift in Telkom management, and the input of experienced, strategic minds is required to face and leverage those changes.
"If we don't see some of these skills coming from abroad, we could be somewhat wary regarding its future."
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