Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

Google is opening an office in South Africa, which will be headed by Stafford Masie, Novell's local country manager for the past four years.

"Google wants to help ensure that South Africans have greater access to information and that businesses are able to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Internet," the US search-engine giant said yesterday.

"In this newly created role, Masie will be responsible for building Google's advertising and applications business in South Africa, as well as expanding the company's strategic partnerships in the region," Google said

Google's African expansion also includes opening offices in Egypt and Kenya.