Sifiso Dabengwa, the former CEO of MTN Group, has passed away on Monday morning after a prolonged struggle with cancer.
Dabengwa held the position of CEO from March 2011 until
2015, when he resigned as the company sought to navigate a substantial fine of
N1.04 trillion imposed by Nigeria for failing to disconnect over five million
customers with unregistered SIM cards.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Dabengwa also had a brief tenure
as CEO of MTN Nigeria until 2006.
Family spokesperson Themba Sibanyoni confirmed the news of
his passing to South African media outlets. Sibanyoni remarked, “Dabengwa was a
giant in the telecommunications sector and a savvy businessman.
His leadership at MTN Group from 2011 to 2015 was
characterized by visionary insight, integrity, and a commitment that led to
significant progress in the industry.”
He added that Dabengwa's influence reached far beyond
corporate confines, highlighting his advocacy for education and belief in
technology's potential to change lives.
An executive from MTN, who also confirmed the news at the
company's Johannesburg headquarters, expressed that the organization received
the news with shock and deep sorrow, noting that the entire MTN community is in
mourning, as Dabengwa remained a valued member of the MTN family after leading
the company for several transformative years.
It was reported that Dabengwa had been fighting cancer for
some time before succumbing in the early hours of Monday.