Naspers has appointed Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa to the global Naspers management team as CEO, South Africa.
Mahanyele-Dabengwa to report to Bob van Dijk, Group CEO of Naspers.
She will be based in Johannesburg to lead the group’s day-to-day business in South Africa and represent its interests in country.
Mahanyele-Dabengwa will also be responsible for Naspers’ recently announced units, Naspers Foundry and Naspers Labs, which are designed to help stimulate the South African tech sector and tackle youth unemployment, respectively.
Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the South African technology sector and is committed to building its existing internet and ecommerce companies in the country, as well as stimulating the local tech start-up sector through the Naspers Foundry.
Naspers Foundry is a R1.4 billion investment commitment targeting technology start-ups in South Africa that seek to address big societal needs. This is in addition to the commitment Naspers made in October 2018 at the inaugural South Africa Investment Conference to inject a further R3.2 billion into its existing South African businesses over three years, which is already underway.
“I am thrilled to be joining Naspers at such a pivotal time for the group and for South Africa and look forward to adding value to the group in realising its strategy in South Africa,” said Mahanyele-Dabengwa.
Mahanyele-Dabengwa joins Naspers from her Executive Chairperson role at Sigma Capital, a privately held, majority-black owned investment group based in South Africa.
“Phuthi is a seasoned leader with a strong track record of achievement throughout her career. Her significant investor and board experience across varied sectors, makes Phuthi the perfect match for this important role at Naspers,” said van Dijk.
