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Yudi Moodley. BlackBerry SAYudi Moodley. BlackBerry SA


BlackBerry may have fallen on tough times amid the fast-paced smartphone war that is increasing in participant numbers and intensity, but the company is far from drawing its last breath.

This is according to Yudi Moodley, BlackBerry’s new Johannesburg-based MD for Africa, who says the Canadian company is merely in transition and still has plenty of tricks left up its sleeve – as well as a robust plan of action for 2014.

Former Durbanite Moodley, who has been working from BlackBerry’s Bryanston offices for almost a month now, took over from Alexandra Zagury as part of a shake-up in management structure since stepped down as CEO and took his place.

A former Caltex analyst and salesman and forecaster, Moodley has been part of the BlackBerry team since 2010 and says he is in it for the long haul, because he sees a bright future and exciting times ahead.

He says 2014 is the year BlackBerry’s roadmap will be realised and the year the company needs to execute on its plans – largely focused on its popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) platform, but also on the enterprise, its QNX operating system – upon which is based – and the launch of new devices.

In the offing, says Moodley, is the launch of BBM Channels – the company’s foray into the mushrooming world of social media. The platform, which the company ultimately seeks to turn profi table, will allow brands, artists, businesses and communities to connect to consumers and groups in real time.

The popularity of BBM has given the company added confidence to forge on with the launch of the new open social media platform. Since 21 October, when BlackBerry opened up its instant messaging platform to users of Android and platforms, BBM has been snapped up by millions.

Africa is an important market for the company, with consumers in SA and Nigeria keeping the BlackBerry brand healthy. While BlackBerry products and services are available in 43 countries across the continent, the two said markets remain strongest.

The BlackBerry Z30 – positioned by the company as its biggest, fastest and most advanced smartphone to date – launched in SA recently, for now only through . The phone – which borders on being a phablet – has been available in Nigeria since September.

Two months ago, BlackBerry announced its 2014 smartphone portfolio would transition from six devices to four. Moodley says this will include two high-end devices and two mid-range devices. The smartphones will include all-touch and Qwerty models.

In terms of future prospects as far as a tablet offering – like the company’s 2011 PlayBook – Moodley says the company had not ruled out the option, but he could not comment at this stage. That said, Moodley added: “Never say never.”