MTN Strengthens Board Gender Diversity

MTN Group has strengthened its board of directors’ gender diversity with the appointment of two women executives.

Africa and the Middle East biggest mobile phone operator announced on Monday that Nosipho Molope has been appointed as an independent non-executive director. Her appointment is effective, 1 April 2021.

Gosa – a sell-side analyst and experienced deal maker

The South African-based telco also announced that Noluthando Gosa has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of MTN Group.  Her appointment is also effective, 1 April 2021.

Gosa holds a BA (Hons) Communications from the University of Fort Hare, has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University, and has an MBA from the University of New Brunswick.

She has solid experience in telecommunications.

In 1997, Gosa was appointed as a founding member of the first independent telecommunications regulator, ICASA, and was 1 of 6 Councillors tasked to set up the regulator in South Africa. She then joined Investec Bank and spent 3 years as a sell-side analyst, focusing on the telecommunications sector. 

Gosa is also an extremely experienced deal maker and businesswoman, having spearheaded numerous joint ventures and acquisitions in multiple sectors and having enjoyed considerable success as an entrepreneur. In parallel, she has served on multiple boards,  including Investec Asset Management (now NinetyOne); AON SA and Broll Property Group.

Pursuant to her entrepreneurial success, she is currently the CEO of Akhona Group and is serving as a director on various companies where she is a  shareholder. She is also a non-executive director of ArcelorMittal SA.

“The Chairman and the Board believe Noluthando’ s entrepreneurial spirit and strategic outlook will be key to the Board, in light of MTN’s growth aspirations,” MTN said in a statement.

 

“Her unique telecommunications experience will also bring a new perspective to the Board.”

Molope brings extensive experience and knowledge of MTN

Molope holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of the Witwatersrand (BSC Med) as well as a Bachelor of Accounting Science (Hons)(CTA) from the University of South Africa and is a Chartered Accountant (SA).

She has a wealth of experience in the telecommunications, packaging, agricultural, and petrochemical sectors. Having been a director and chairman of the audit and risk committees in various MTN operating companies, she is well versed in the challenges and complex regulatory requirements of the markets, where MTN operates.

Molope currently serves on the boards of several MTN operating companies, including South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and eSwatini. In addition, she is a board member of Old Mutual Limited and South32 Coal Holdings Pty Ltd as well as the Engen Ltd.

She is commercially astute and has a deep level of technical accounting knowledge with an objective and broad-minded approach that stems from her multi-sector experience as well as her exposure to diverse cultures.

It is anticipated that Molepe will resign from all MTN operating companies by 31 March 2021, including MTN South Africa. MTN South Africa is at an advanced stage in identifying her replacement, as audit and risk chairman.