SOUTH AFRICA – Global water technology company Xylem Africa has announced the appointment of Max Kubwalo as Metrology Sales Lead for Anglophone Africa.

In a statement released to the media, the company said Kubwalo started on 17 July 2020 and from his base in Cape Town, will cover non-French speaking countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The statement further said Kubwalo joins Xylem from Itron where he established a stellar reputation among the utility markets of Southern and Eastern Africa.

“An experienced sales professional with a solid record in the water management industry, he has been responsible for projects exceeding US$ 10 million. Kubwalo’s interest in the continent extends to his academic achievements as well, including a research project on Malawi’s cut flower industry.”

On his part, Kubwalo said, “Africa’s future includes how we manage water on the continent. Water also creates opportunities to build closer partnerships with communities and it is one of the means through which governments can bring purposeful service delivery to their people. I have built my career around water management and it has been an exciting journey so far. With Xylem, I want to take water transformation in Africa even further.”

A veteran of nearly 20 years in the Metrology industry, Kubwalo has built extensive experience and knowledge around leading brands such as Sensus.

Impressed with the work done by local management and their channel partners as well as Xylem’s work with water, he opted to join the company.

“Water is a critical resource. It is always humbling when you are in remote areas and see how far people more so women and children in particular, go to fetch water. To be a part of a company like Xylem that can assist utilities to reduce their losses and improve their efficiencies and in the process provide cleaner and easier access to water – that is a welcome challenge.”

Kubwalo focuses on English-speaking African countries to grow Xylem’s contributions into the African market.

He will also support the local teams behind ongoing sales opportunities in the public utility market, ensuring that they evolve from discussion or pilots to implementation efficiently from a sales point.

His Malawi research project contributed towards a Master of Science in Commerce from the University of the Western Cape.

Kubwalo also holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Engineering both from Wits University.

He started his professional career at Itron as a product manager and was soon promoted as Sales Manager.

Upon joining Xylem Africa, Kubwalo will actively continue pursuing existing key accounts in the Southern and Eastern African regions, focusing on migrating customers from pure metering hardware to longer-term non-revenue water services.

“Max brings a lot of experience and insight to the Xylem team,” said Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager for Xylem Africa.

 “His work across Africa has made real differences on the ground and helped many organisations use water in smarter and more efficient ways. We are thrilled that he chose to join Xylem’s African operations and we look forward to support him in bringing the best water solutions to the continent,” he added.

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