Naspers names SA CEO

Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa will lead Naspers' day-to-day business in SA. [Photo source: Sigma Capital]

---

Global consumer Internet group Naspers has created a new executive position for its South African operations that sees Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa take up the CEO post.

In a statement, Naspers says Mahanyele-Dabengwa will report directly to group chief executive, Bob van Dijk, and will be based in Johannesburg where she will lead the group’s day-to-day business in SA and represent its interests in-country.

In addition, she will also be responsible for the group's recently announced units, Naspers Foundry and Naspers Labs.

Launched at the South Africa Investment Conference in October last year, Naspers Foundry is a R1.4 billion start-up fund aimed at boosting the South African technology sector. As well as providing much needed funding, Naspers Foundry will help talented and ambitious South African technology entrepreneurs develop and grow their businesses, the company says.

Commenting on Mahanyele-Dabengwa’s appointment, van Dijk says: “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.”

Mahanyele-Dabengwa adds: “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.”

The new Naspers SA CEO joins the group from her executive chairperson role at Sigma Capital, a privately held, majority-black owned investment group based in South Africa.

She also has a private equity fund held jointly with the Ventures team of Rand Merchant Bank. Mahanyele Dabengwa is the former CEO of Shanduka Group, an investment holding company she joined in 2004 and left in 2015. 

Prior to that, she was the head of the project finance South Africa business unit at the Development Bank of Southern Africa.