Isaac Mophatlane Forced Out as CEO of BCX, says the Black Business Council

Isaac Mophatlane, the CEO of BCX, has apparently been forced out of the tech company by its main shareholder, Telkom, according to South Africa’s Black Business Council (BBC).

In a statement on Thursday BBC said it “believes (Mophatlane) was forced out”.

The black business lobby group condemned the departure of Mophatlane from BCX, he and his late twin brother founded 38 years ago, a few years after it was acquired by Telkom.

“There’s no magic solution to avoid the hurt feelings, the tension, the discomfort this development has caused among our members. This is an attack on black excellence,” said BBC Chairman Sello Rasethaba.

According to a statement from Telkom CEO, Sipho Maseko, Mophatlane resigned.

Said Rasethaba: “The government, as a major shareholder in Telkom, should bow its head in shame to allow Jabu Mabuza (Telkom Chairman) and Maseko to erode confidence in black professionals and to leave black children without a heritage of entrepreneurial success.

“The BBC wishes to remind Maseko his own words on Mophatlane’s appointment in June 2016.  “In the coming weeks and months, Isaac will be driving the full integration of Telkom Business Connexion and we are proud to have such an astute business leaders in fulfilling this role,” said Sipho Maseko, group CEO of Telkom. “Telkom Business Connexion is uniquely equipped to strengthen Telkom’s core offering, allowing us to offer solutions.”

“The Information Communication Technology market has produced capable black men and women who can equally do the job with excellence. Isaac could have been replaced by a black professional from the company. But Mabuza and Maseko preferred to replace Mophatlane with a white man. It is a demonstration that they do not care about Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). They are encouraging the exodus of black executives from Telkom.

“The BBC is categorically appealing to Mabuza and Maseko to believe in Black excellence and stop the self-hatred, stop the exodus of black professionals from Telkom and restore Telkom to its former glory as a champion of BEE. We call on the Government and in particular Minister Cwele to stop this rot,” said Rasethaba