Telkom appoints former IDC CEO Qhena as board chair

T elkom has appointed Mvuleni Geoffrey Qhena as independent non-executive director with effect from 27 March, and chairperson of the board of directors with effect from 1 April. In a statement, the JSE-listed telecommunications company says the appointment, made in compliance with Telkom’s nomination process, follows its announcement on 23 November 2022 that Sello Moloko will step down as independent non-executive director and chairperson by no later than 31 March 2023. Qhena is former chief executive officer of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa. According to Telkom, during his tenure, he grew the IDC’s asset base from R31 billion in 2004, to R137 billion in 2018. It adds that Qhena has experience serving as a non-executive director and chairperson on boards of listed and unlisted companies. He currently serves on the boards of Investec and Exxaro as non-executive director and chairperson, respectively. Qhena holds an Honours Degree in Accounting Science and is accredited as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) with SAICA. As part of Qhena’s appointment as Telkom’s chairperson, he will chair the group’s nominations committee and will be a member of the remuneration committee, says the company. “The Telkom board extends its gratitude to the outgoing chairperson, Mr Moloko, who effectively managed the organisation’s leadership transition and the uncertainties of operating through the COVID pandemic,” it says. “Telkom welcomes Mr Qhena to the board of directors and looks forward to his contributions to the company.”