Gert Hendrik Claasen

Gert Claasen is Manager, International Marketing and Localization, PBMR, South Africa.

Mr Claasen is a Professional Engineer and holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering. From 1972 to 1976 he was the electrical consulting engineer for the design and construction of the TV complex of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). He founded his own mechanical and electrical consulting engineering practice, Claassen Auret Inc, and was responsible for the design and construction of a large variety of commercial and industrial complexes.

In 1986, Mr Claasen became Manager: Urban Development for the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA). In 1987 he became Group Managing Director of Technotron, a group of hi-tech companies which included the Laboratory for Advanced Engineering (LGI), a hi-tech development company situated on the campus of the University of Pretoria.

He joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as Chief Executive: Broadcasting Centre in 1991. In 1994 he became Chief Executive: Operations of the SABC, and from July 1995 also managed the new SABC satellite TV venture, AstraSat. He established the International Broadcast Centre for the 1994 South African elections and was Chairman of Rugby World Broadcasting, as well as representing the SABC on various international forums. (Continued)