Managing Director of the Playhouse has resigned from his position as Managing Director of the Playhouse Company as he has decided to take up a top management position in the major Gauteng private communications company VMV. Strangely, the Board chose to tell the press before staff members were informed.

Chairman of the Playhouse Company Edmund Radebe praised Johann Zietsman for his part in leading the organisation through “challenging years”. “The Board was indeed very fortunate to have a man of Mr Zietsman’s calibre at the helm of the company,” he said. “As a result the company has been placed in the firm lead in terms of creative transformation within the context of the New Government policies.”

Johann Zietsman is due to leave the Playhouse in January and, to ensure continuity of leadership, it has been decided to appoint an acting MD to work alongside him until his departure and possibly beyond that until a suitable replacement has been found.

Paying tribute to the support he has received from the chairman and the rest of the board as well as the Playhouse staff, Johann Zietsman stated that “The company is in good hands and I am very upbeat about the future. Financially, we are R1m over budget to the good and are now strong on income generation. I will be leaving with a strong sense of confidence and a positive attitude.”

To fill the role of the new Managing Director, the Playhouse board will be looking for someone with and understanding and appreciation of the performing arts and the ability to gain credibility with community organisations. Other requirements are a sense of vision, strong leadership qualities and all-round management skills as well as relevant tertiary qualification and experience and at least five years experience at a senior management level, preferably in the live entertainment industry.

Applicants should send comprehensive CV’s in envelopes clearly marked “Application: Managing Director” to the Chairman, PO Box 5353, Durban, 4000. These should reach the Chairman by no later than November 15.