Business Connexion CEO Benjamin Mophatlane exuded a reserved confidence as he weaved his way among investors, colleagues and reporters ahead of the group’s interim results presentation held in Johannesburg in April. “We’re cautiously optimistic about 2013,” he declared to the audience.

The JSE-listed ICT conglomerate now employs 7 000 permanent staff across all of its operations. Founded in the mid-‘90s by iconic local IT personalities Benjamin and Isaac Mophatlane, the Business Connexion (BCX) of today is a product of various mergers over the years [see sidebar].