From call centre agent to CEO: Jorge Mendes on Cell C’s radical restructuring

On this week’s edition of The Executive Exchange on MoneywebTV, we’re joined by a leader whose professional journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

From starting his career as a call centre agent to steering one of South Africa’s most recognised telecommunications brands, Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C, embodies resilience, reinvention and transformative leadership.

Read:
Cell C posts R5.7bn revenue in first interim as listed group
Blue Label paves way to list Cell C on JSE [May 2025]

Under his direction, Cell C has undergone a remarkable turnaround, repositioning itself through a completely restructured balance sheet and a revitalised, more efficient network strategy.

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This transformation has not only stabilised the business but has also laid a bold foundation for the future – one in which Cell C aims to reassert itself as a true disruptor in the telecoms space.

We’ll explore the inside story of this turnaround: the tough decisions, the cultural shifts and the strategic bets that are redefining Cell C’s identity.

We’ll also look ahead to what the company’s new market listing entails – how operating in the public market shapes governance, transparency, competitiveness and long-term value creation.

And, of course, we’ll dive into Jorge’s personal leadership journey – what it takes to rise through the ranks, the lessons he has learned along the way, and how he leads with purpose through periods of intense change.

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A powerful story of grit, disruption, and transformation.

Listen/read:
Cell C needs to prove its business model
The battle of the telecoms: Cell C vs Telkom
How the telecoms industry can address SA’s structural issues

* For previous episodes of the Executive Exchange vodcast, click here or view on MoneywebTV on our YouTube channel. 

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