Johannesburg, 17 March 2009—Alan Knott-Craig, one of SA’s foremost business leaders and a visionary noted for his strong social awareness, has joined the board of Right to Care, a leading HIV-AIDS treatment NGO.

The former Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, who retired last year after Vodacom was judged South Africa’s most valued brand, has accepted an invitation to serve as a non-executive director on a board chaired by medical doctor and former cricket chief Dr Ali Bacher.

Right to Care, which enjoys a strong partnership with the South African government and significant support and funding from the US government, is itself developing into a strong social brand through its HIV counselling, testing, and treatment programmes and clinics in a number of provinces.

Dr Bacher said today: “Dr Knott-Craig’s has been one of South Africa’s most prominent business professionals over the past two decades – but more than that he has demonstrated an acute awareness of the challenges facing South Africa. To his credit, he understands the consequences to our country if the HIV-AIDS pandemic currently prevalent in our country is not swiftly and decisively controlled and managed. By virtue of accepting a position on our board, he demonstrates his willingness to become involved in Right to Care’s future plans to combat the HIV-AIDS scourge. He will be a great asset.”

Knott-Craig, 56, a recipient of numerous leadership awards and hailed for his outstanding contribution to the telecommunications industry in Africa said: “I am very happy to accept this position and look forward to adding whatever value I can.”

Prof Ian Sanne, founder and Managing Directgor of Right to Care and one of South Africa’s foremost authorities on HIV and AIDS, said he was delighted at Dr Knott-Craig’s decision. “His presence adds great value to our endeavours and we whole-heartedly welcome him aboard. Under his leadership, Vodacom was one of the first South African companies to recognise the need to protect its workforce from the threat of HIV and AIDS and, as such, employs Right to Care’s Direct Aids Intervention testing and treatment programme in its workplace.”

Under Dr Knott-Craig’s leadership, Vodacom went from an initial investment of R1,15-billion in October 1993 by three shareholders to a conglomerate with an annual turnover of some R50-billion by 2008. The company has an estimated market value of R150-billion, directly employs approximately 6500 people throughout Africa and indirectly employs another 30 000 people.

Dr Knott-Craig holds various directorships and continues to act as a consultant to the Vodacom Group Board.