Embattled
telecoms operator Neotel has lost
two senior managers, amid what insiders
are referring to as renewed tension
within the organisation's management
team.
The exiting executives are Nadia
Bulbulia, Neotel's newly-appointed
corporate communications and brand
general manager; and Thursten James,
executive head of the operator's
consumer business unit.
Bulbulia, who joined Neotel's
leadership team a little over two months
ago, is best-known for her stints as
councillor for the Independent
Communications Authority of SA, as well
as its predecessor, the Independent
Broadcasting Authority. She has been
focused on the
ICT and media industries since
1994 and her resume includes employment
at both Vodacom and Cell C. Bulbulia was
one of three executives selected by
president Jacob Zuma early last year to
join the board of the Media Development
and Diversity Agency. This term ends in
2014.
James has been at SA's second
national operator since September 2009.
Initially executive head of customer
services, James has led Neotel's
heightened focus on the consumer market
segment for the last year. This included
overseeing sales, marketing, product
development, customer services, networks
and finance.
Neotel confirmed the resignations,
but brushed aside allegations of tension
at its management level. Instead, the
organisation says the resignations are a
product of normal employee movements
experienced by organisations worldwide.
“Bulbulia's husband works in the
Middle East and has received a contract
that enables his family to join him.
James has resigned to pursue his dream
of starting his own business,” the
operator says.
Déjà vu
Sources within and close to the
company, however, beg to differ.
Instead, many say the atmosphere is
reminiscent of that experienced last
year during the company's realignment
process.
This realignment saw then CEO and MD
Ajay Pandey, as well as right-hand-man
Mukul Sharma return to India.
It also resulted in several
high-level resignations, including chief
marketing officer Jacky Humphries; HR
managing executive Siphiwe Ndwalaza;
head of corporate communications Wandile
Zote; and regulatory council Mike Silber.
Like then, more resignations are
expected to follow, says one source.
“This is the last month of the financial
year and the pressure is on. Everyone is
tense at the moment, but particularly
among the senior and middle management
levels.”
Another source, who fears the
repercussions of being named, says it is
widely understood the company will not
meet its downward revised targets for
the year. “There is much talk that we
will miss the targets by as much as 20%.
People are worried about how this is
going to impact on the organisation and
employees.”
