Robbie Venter. (Supplied/Altron)
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Former CEO of Altron Robbie Venter has died, the ICT group said on Wednesday.
Venter was CEO of the group from 2001 to 2017 and served on the board since 1997. He was a prominent tennis player and is the son of the 90-year-old SA business veteran Bill Venter.
He died on Tuesday, at the age of 64 years.
TechCentral reported two sources as saying that he had cancer – although this has not been officially confirmed yet as the cause of death.
“His [Venter’s] contributions to Altron, since 1997, were invaluable, and his presence will be greatly missed. His outstanding contributions and leadership have made a lasting impact on the technology industry and business at large,” Altron said in a statement.
Venter won a tennis scholarship to the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1978 and took a degree in economics. He played professional tennis in the early 1980s.
He started his career in merchant banking in the US later that decade, and spent four years with Bear Stearns, the latter part of which he was a vice-president. The bank ultimately collapsed in 2008 amid the US subprime mortgage crisis.
“Robbie was truly a remarkable individual, steadfast in his commitment, generously sharing his wisdom and experience as a valued member of the Altron Board,” the ICT group said.
Altron was founded in 1965 by Bill Venter, and had been a family-led company until 2017, when it appointed former MTN SA CEO Mteto Nyati. Nyati has since been replaced by Werner Kapp.
“The Altron Board takes this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the Venter family, friends and loved ones on the untimely passing of Robbie, who left an indelible mark on all who came into contact with him,” the company said.
“Robbie’s impact on our company and the technology industry as a whole is immeasurable. His contributions will continue to inspire us for years to come. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this very difficult time,” said Kapp. “Robbie’s spirit and legacy will always be a part of Altron.”
Stewart van Graan, chair of Altron, said: “Robbie was truly a remarkable individual — a consummate professional whose steadfast commitment to the company was matched by his generous spirit. His insights and contributions were invaluable, and his absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew him.”
