BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MEDIA FOR AFRICA

Mxit CEO Alan Knott-Craig Jnr quits

Mxit CEO Alan Knott-Craig Jnr quits
Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
19 Oct 2012

In a surprise announcement, mobile social network Mxit announced that chief executive officer Alan Knott-Craig Jnr has stepped down, purportedly over a difference of opinion with shareholders, following a huge cash injection into the business.

The announcement comes as Mxit, Africa’s largest mobile social network, says it is set for massive growth, “following a R100 million investment by shareholders”.

“While the shareholders and I share the same vision, we differ on how to get there. Therefore, I agreed to go my own way. I wish them all the best for the future. Mxit is Africa’s biggest tech success story, and can be a global success story,” says Knott-Craig Jnr.

He would not be drawn further on the issue.

Francois Swart, the Mxit’s current chief financial officer, will act as the interim chief executive. The company says it will be recruiting a new CEO and other new executives to drive the expansion.

In a statement issued by Mxit, the shareholders say that the company is SA’s biggest tech success story, “in no small part due to Knott-Craig’s involvement and vision over the past year”.

“Mxit has a window of opportunity and is pursuing aggressive growth by increasing the user base in Africa through partners in targeted African countries,” it adds.

Mxit was founded in 2005, hitting profitability in September of the following year.

In September last year, World of Avatar – headed by Knott-Craig Jnr – agreed to buy 90% of the Stellenbosch-based social messaging service, for an undisclosed amount. This interest was held by shareholders MIH Holdings – a Naspers subsidiary – and Mxit founder Herman Heunis.

The remaining 10% shareholding was to remain in a staff trust established by Heunis, in 2005. Heunis exited the company at the time of the takeover.

Read more on ITWeb.co.za.

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