Journalist at heart quietly penned Naspers success

31 August 2014 - 02:31 By Staff Reporter
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THE man who could, but never does, take credit for Naspers's outstanding performance over the past 15 years, chaired his last AGM on Friday.

THE man who could, but never does, take credit for Naspers's outstanding performance over the past 15 years, chaired his last AGM on Friday.

Next March, Ton Vosloo, 76, will retire from a company he has served for 59 years.

Vosloo worked as a journalist from 1956 to 1983, and became Naspers MD in 1984. He was appointed nonexecutive chairman of the group in 1997.

Vosloo, who is described as a journalist at heart, unpretentious and modest, played a critical role in ensuring Naspers would not only survive the dramatic technology-driven changes wrought upon the industry, but would thrive.

Vosloo was at the helm when the Naspers board appointed the unknown Koos Bekker to head up the M-Net/MultiChoice pay-TV business in 1985. And insiders say Vosloo fought hard to protect Bekker during the difficult times when it looked as though pay-TV might bleed the company dry. Much later came the hugely valuable Tencent investment.

In his final annual general meeting address, Vosloo, referring to his 22 years as chairman, said: "It has been quite an innings, rollicking at times, even hair-raising, never dull, and I trust you as shareholders appreciate the value that has been unlocked. Thank you for your sterling support, especially in the sometimes trying times when things did not run according to expectations."

Bekker, who takes over next year, is not expected to be quite as hands-off as Vosloo was.

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