The Business Connexion Group (BCX) have revealed that Isaac Mophatlane has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from 1 August 2014. He will take over the role of his late brother, Benjamin Mophatlane, who passed away on 11 June 2014.
Isaac is currently BCX’s Head of Sales and Marketing and Group Executive of the Canoa division. Isaac, together with his twin brother Benjamin, co-founded what was then known as Business Connection in 1996 and has held various positions within the company over the past 18 years.
More recently, he provided leadership and direction in the Innovation division which houses BCX’s own software and packaged intellectual property prior to taking responsibility for the Canoa division which drives the group’s Managed Print Solutions offerings.
Commenting on the appointment, BCX Chairman Tony Ruiters, said: “Isaac has an intimate understanding of the Company, its operations and culture and his appointment as BCX CEO was a natural choice.
“Benjamin’s legacy gives us a strong foundation to build upon and I look forward to continue working closely with Isaac to realise the vision and growth ambitions of BCX, both in South Africa and across the continent.”
Isaac is a member of the Black Management Forum, the Electronic Industries Federation of South Africa and the Black Information Technology Forum. He is also the Deputy Non-executive Chairman of the Catholic Education Investment Company.
Before his passing, Benjamin Mophatlane had planned various ventures in order to take BCX to a whole new level as a Pan-Africa success story. Mophatlane planned to purchase a variety of businesses across Africa in order to increase BCX’s footprint across the continent. Back in March 2014, As part of the company’s reorganisation process, BCX acquired a 100% holding in Panabiz Nigeria, as well as a 100% holding in Ultimate Solutions Botswana.
Additionally in June 2014, BCX had also acquired a 30% strategic interest in AppZone Limited, an information technology solutions provider in Lagos, Nigeria. While the final amount of the acquisition was never revealed, the company stated that the AppZone acquisition would allow it to offer unique services and solutions for the financial services sector.
Benjamin Mophatlane passing was, and still is, a great loss, not only for BCX, but for business in South Africa, the African region and the world. His zest for life and energising presence will be deeply missed.
Darryl Linington
