Naspers, Prosus CEO Bob van Dijk steps down

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Dutch-listed technology investor Prosus NV and its South African parent Naspers announced on Monday that Bob van Dijk has stepped down as chief executive officer from both companies. Van Dijk, who has led Naspers since 2014 and Prosus since 2019, has agreed to stay on as a consultant until September 30, 2024, as stated by the companies in a joint statement.

Ervin Tu will assume the role of interim chief executive for both Prosus NV and Naspers.

“The group’s strategic goals remain unchanged and it is on target to fulfill its commitments,” stated the global consumer internet companies.

This news comes as a surprise to many as Van Dijk has been in leadership positions for both companies for several years. However, the reason behind his resignations has not been disclosed. It is unclear whether he plans to pursue other opportunities or if there were internal disagreements.

Van Dijk’s departure marks the start of a new chapter for Prosus NV and Naspers. The interim CEO, Ervin Tu, will now be responsible for guiding the companies through this transition period.

Prosus NV is a well-known technology investor, with diverse holdings in various industries across the globe. Naspers, on the other hand, is a South African multinational conglomerate that has significant investments in e-commerce, media, and technology companies.

It remains to be seen how this leadership change will impact the future direction and strategies of Prosus NV and Naspers. Shareholders and industry experts will be keeping a close eye on the developments in the coming months.

For now, both companies have assured stakeholders that their strategic goals will remain unaffected and that they are on track to deliver on their commitments.

As a consultant, Van Dijk will continue to provide his expertise and guidance to Prosus NV and Naspers until September 2024. His knowledge and experience will undoubtedly be valuable during this transitional period.

Despite this unexpected leadership change, Prosus NV and Naspers continue to be significant players in the global consumer internet industry. The companies will need to navigate this transition carefully to maintain their strong market positions.

It remains to be seen who will succeed Van Dijk as the permanent CEO for both companies. This decision will likely have a significant impact on the future direction and success of Prosus NV and Naspers.

Reporting for this article was contributed by Radhika Anilkumar from Bengaluru and Tannur Anders from Johannesburg. The article was edited by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Stephen Coates.