Open access fibre optic company Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) has confirmed the resignation of Reshaad Sha, Executive Director and CEO on licensed Sigfox Internet of Things (IOT) network operator SqwidNet.

In a statement, the company explained that Sha joined DFA in 2013 and "has an exemplary service record with the company taking it from strength to strength over the years."

Thinus Mulder, CEO DFA is quoted as saying, "Reshaad contributed widely to the success of the DFA group during his tenure, being a key contributor to formulating our short-, mid-, and long-term strategies, formalising the DFA product set and directing the expansion into managed services, establishing stronger public-sector relationships and leading DFA's entry into FTTH".

According to DFA, Vino Govender is serving as the Acting Chief Strategy Officer and Phathizwe Malinga will serve as the interim CEO for SqwidNet. "We wish Reshaad luck in his future endeavours and hope that he finds the same success that he enjoyed during his time with us".

The DFA said Sha is currently pursuing a two-month Management Course at Harvard University and will start his new position as the CEO of Liquid Telecom South Africa as soon as he is back in the country.

ITWeb reports that Sha's appointment is effective 1 June, 2018.

According to the report, Sha has worked in management positions in a variety of tech and telecoms companies, including Cisco and LogicaCMG.

Liquid Telecom says Sha will oversee growth and development of digital services and the rollout of enhanced network services for enterprises and consumers across South Africa.

The publication quotes Nic Rudnick, Group CEO, Liquid Telecom as saying, "We're delighted to have found such a talented and skilled individual to fill this role. Reshaad's entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic leadership make him the perfect addition to the Liquid Telecom Group as we continue to deliver on our vision of building Africa's digital future."

ITWeb further reported that in March, Kyle Whitehill, the previous country CEO resigned from the company. In a statement issued by Liquid Telecom it said he was leaving the company at the end of his contract to return to the UK to be with his family.

Garth Schooling, Liquid Telecom's managing executive of new business development, has been appointed as interim CEO since Whitehill's departure in March, and will remain in charge at Liquid Telecom South Africa until Sha's arrival.

In March, the end-to-end IOT mobile solutions and IOT-as-a-service provider Activate Group entered into a partnership agreement with SqwidNet to roll out 14 pilot projects in the retail and logistics vertical with an estimated roll out of more than 100 000 units on SqwidNet's network by 2019.

Later in the month SqwidNet claimed to cover 83% of the South African population with its network, with over 90% and 75% coverage across municipal and national highways specifically.