MTN's Nhleko, a soft-spoken dealmaker

By Gugulakhe Lourie

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Phuthuma Nhleko, chief executive of South Africa's MTN, is one of the country's best-known black businessmen and may be eyeing the top position if his company ties up with Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel.

Nhleko, a U.S.-educated civil engineer turned corporate financier and MTN's CEO since 2002, has been instrumental in growing the company into a group with more than 68 million subscribers and operations in 21 African countries and in the Middle East.

A successful deal between MTN and Bharti would create the world's six-largest with more than 130 million subscribers.

Talks between the two companies are, however, at an exploratory stage and a number of other parties interested in sub-Saharan Africa's biggest mobile phone operator have emerged since news of the discussions broke earlier this month.

Emirates Telecommunications said last week that it was evaluating a possible bid for MTN, and China Mobile, the world's biggest mobile carrier, has said it is interested in the South Africa market, but it has not yet bid.

If MTN and Bharti do eventually merge, analysts believe Nhleko would want to run the combined business.

"I am sure Phuthuma wouldn't want to disappear off the scene. I think he is still probably ambitious and wants to be involved and possible want to lead any combined group as CEO," said Rajay Ambekar, a portfolio manager at Cadiz African Harvest.

Media reports and analysts say Bharti may seek a merger or share swap with MTN to avoid a prolonged bidding war for the South African phone firm.