MWEB’s group CEO Rudi Jansen has resigned after 15 years at the firm to explore new business interests.
MWEB, a subsidiary of Naspers, said DStv Mobile CEO Francois Theron will fill the post.
Theron has served as CEO for MultiChoice Middle East and Egypt, M-Tel and the United Broadcasting Corporation in Thailand, which he turned into a profitable venture. He also served on the main board of the Asian Cable and Satellite Association.
Jansen said: “The MWEB business is in great shape and while there are still many challenges ahead in the local ISP industry, I know that Francois’ experience locally and internationally will bring immense value to the business. It is time for me to move on to new challenges.”
Jansen was one of MWEB’s first employees, joining the company as head of finance in 1997 before rising to CEO in 2005.
During this time, Jansen has led MWEB to become one of South Africa’s biggest ISPs. In 2010, MyBroadband named him Broadband Maverick of the Year for launching uncapped ADSL and pushing for free and open peering.
Eben Greyling, the CEO of Pay-TV Platforms at Naspers, said: “Rudi has been instrumental in MWEB’s growth, relentlessly pursuing a vision for the company as the champion of a free web.”