Mark Barnes who was appointed from the private sector to turnaround South Africa’s Post Office on January 15, 2016 has resigned, due to a difference of opinion with the board on the parastatal’s future direction. Lindiwe Kwele, who is currently the group’s COO, has been appointed as the acting CEO until the board finds a permanent replacement.

Below is an interview CNBC Africa did with him, when his appointment was first announced.

Laconic Barnes is also Chairman of Exclusive Books and a significant shareholder in Purple Group.

During May and July he sold a total of 6,3 million shares totalling almost R1.8 million in Purple Group, the company he co-founded.