Sifiso Dabengwa, the former CEO of MTN Group, has sadly passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer. The news, which was confirmed by a senior executive at MTN's headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, has left the entire organization in deep shock and mourning.
Dabengwa led MTN Group from March 2011 until his resignation in 2015. His departure came during a challenging time for the company as it faced a record-breaking N1.04 trillion fine from Nigeria for failing to disconnect over five million unregistered SIM cards. Prior to his role as Group CEO, the Zimbabwean-born Dabengwa also served as MTN Nigeria's CEO until 2006.
South African media outlets have reported that his death was confirmed by family spokesperson Themba Sibanyoni. Sibanyoni described Dabengwa as a "titan in the telecommunications industry" and praised his visionary leadership, integrity, and dedication during his tenure as MTN Group CEO. He noted that Dabengwa's influence extended well beyond the boardroom, highlighting his advocacy for education and his strong belief in the power of technology to transform lives.
The MTN executive further expressed that the company is mourning the loss of a valued member of their family, recognizing Dabengwa’s significant contributions to the growth and success of the telecommunications giant over the years.
Dabengwa had been battling cancer for some time and passed away in the early hours of Monday.
