EOH, JSE-listed technology group, announced today that Andrew Mthembu, a proven executive with vast industry experience, will assume the role of chairman.
His appointment is effective on 6 February 2020.
Mthembu replaces the late Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi, who was chairman of the board at the time of his passing on 4 January 2020. For more read: Prominent Businessman Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi Passes Away
Mthembu joined the EOH board in June 2019. He was appointed the lead independent director last year and led the board in the absence of Dr Mkhwanazi as a result of his illness.
Mthembu is the chairperson of the Technology and Information Committee and also serves on the Audit Committee as well as the Governance and Risk Committee.
“Whilst a number of external candidates were considered, given the challenging past year the board considered that Mr Mthembu’s industry experience, knowledge of EOH and the requirement for continuity made him the best candidate for the role,” EOH said in a statement.
“The board congratulates Mr Mthembu on his appointment and looks forward to his ongoing contribution.”
Mthembu was born in Swaziland and started his career in the Ministry of Works and Communications as an engineer before joining the DBSA in project finance where he became the liaison between the DBSA, the South African government and the then Homelands.
He went on to work for Otis Elevators, a United Technologies Company as a Contracts Manager and later as Inland Regional Manager in their South African Operations. While at Otis he spent two years in their North American Operations in Toronto, Canada. He then moved on to become MD of Murray & Roberts in their toll roads concession business, Tolcon.
While at Murray and Roberts, Andrew worked with multinational teams on infrastructure projects both locally and internationally.
He subsequently appointed as MD of Vodacom SA where his time characterised by massive growth driven by the introduction of the pre-paid product, the widespread expansion of the technical infrastructure, and fast-paced market development.
At Vodacom, Mthembu also charged with setting up their International Operations as MD, culminating in the expansion of the company’s footprint to Mozambique, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Lesotho.
He also served as an advisor to the Minister of the Department of Public Enterprises in South Africa on ICT industry issues and during this tenure. At the invitation of President Mbeki, he was appointed to lead the establishment of Broadband Infraco and successfully led the required parliamentary approvals and built the institution on the back of Transnet and Eskom fibre assets.
Mthembu now manages his investment company and consults to various clients on ICT strategies.
