South Africa’s Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed Information Communication and Technology (ICT) company, Gijima has appointed 4 key executive committee members.
Gijima CEO, Jonas Bogoshi said – during the company’s annual results presentation held on 23 August 2011, in Johannesburg, South Africa – that the new appointments will assist the company to achieve its “Vision 2025” goal.
Gijima’s new executive team includes:
Vito Bonafede
Chief Client Officer (CCO): Industrial Business
Vito Bonafede is the new Chief Client Officer (CCO) for Industrial Business at Gijima.
“The fact that we can make a difference through focus and commitment is inspiring. I have always believed in enjoying your work to be successful. This is what I’ll bring to the team,” says Bonafede.
Bonefede is a former Regional Director for Sun Micro Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle Corporation. He has more than 30 years’ experience in managing and running large IT Services organisations, and 15 of those years were spent selling, delivering and negotiating large outsourcing deals. He has held a number of executive positions for multinational ICT companies.
He describes his vision for the organisation as having customers wanting to do business with Gijima and skilled people wanting to work for Gijima. “Having delighted customers, happy employees and enjoying your work is going to be key in achieving the right kind of success for the company,” says Bonafede.
Raymond Defteroes
Chief Client Officer (CCO): Commercial Business
Raymond (Ray) Deftereos is the Chief Client Officer (CCO) for JSE-Listed Gijima. “I enjoyed working with Gijima as one of their clients, and felt they were well positioned to grow from strength-to-strength in South Africa and the rest of the African continent,” says Ray. He is one of five CCOs at Gijima, and will oversee the Commercial Industry Unit.
He has been with Gijima for three years, but his association goes back to around 1999, where as a director of an outsource consultancy (OD&MS) he was involved in a number of deals involving companies such as Absa and Samancor, as well as various other tender adjudications. Of particular significance was the Gijima-Absa contract that he was involved in negotiating and then managed as Absa Operational Manager for three years.
“To find a uniquely African business model that contributes to the growth and success of the country, is my ultimate vision for Gijima,”says Deftereos.
Debbie Zwane-Chikura
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Debbie Zwane-Chikura is one of a few women in ICT executives in South Africa. Zwane-Chikura joined Gijima in June 2011.
Prior to joining Gijima, Debbie was CEO at LaMirika, a property development company.
Debbie holds an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors; she is also an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators. She held several line and executive positions in corporate South Africa prior to consulting for a number of years.
“I enjoy applying my skills in a vibrant organisation, which is committed to strong business results and a responsible social agenda,” says Debbie. “This is something I found at Gijima and I am looking forward to building upon this strong foundation”.
Debbie has worked on a number of large-scale transformation and privatisation initiatives globally. Having done a lot of work in Africa, she has learned over time that the nuances on the continent require early anticipation, planning and management, ensuring local relevance and acceptability.
Rolf Eichweber
Chief Client Officer (CCO): Financial Services
Rolf Eichweber has been appointed as Chief Client Officer (CCO) for Gijima.
“The opportunity to be part of a team that was facing change in strategy and operating model was intriguing,” says Eichweber. He is one of four CCOs at Gijima, and oversees the Financial Services Business Unit.
Rolf joined Gijima in August 2011 and is a former Standard Bank Director: Financial Inclusion and Electronic Channels Africa, having been with them for 7 years. He holds a BA LLB degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and obtained a diploma in Advanced Banking from the University of Johannesburg in 2002.
“My legal studies and qualifications have provided me with sound business principles, and have taught me the importance being well prepared, applying logic,” says Rolf. In 2008 he and his team won the Gartner Customer Relationship Management (CRM) implementation of the year Award, the Oscar of the ICT sector globally, in London.
“My vision for Gijima is simple: Apple, but better,” says Eichweber.
Bontle Moeng – ITNewsAfrica Online Editor
