Mahanyele-Dabengwa Picked For Newly Created Naspers Executive Position

On Wednesday, Naspers made known the appointment of Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa as Naspers’s Chief Executive Officer for South Africa.

The South Africa-headquartered company created the new executive position.

Mahanyele-Dabengwa who will be based in Johannesburg will basically be running the day-to-day business as well as represent Naspers interests in-country.

Notably, she will also be in-charge of Naspers flagship units, Naspers Foundry and Naspers Labs and will be reporting directly to Bob van Dijk, Group CEO of Naspers.

Mahanyele-Dabengwa was previously the Executive Chair at Sigma Capital, a privately held majority black-owned investment group.

Bob van Dijk, Group CEO, Naspers, said, “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.”

Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO South Africa, Naspers, stated, “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 CEO holds a BA Economics from Rutgers University, US, and an MBA from De Montfort University in Leicester, UK.

Naspers Labs is the pilot of a social impact initiative that Naspers has designed in partnership with Marlon Parker, the founder of RLabs, to develop the skills and talent of South Africa’s unemployed youth.

Naspers Foundry is a USD 314 Mn initiative that is aimed at boosting the South African technology sector through funding startups. The fund recently made its first ever investment in Sweepsouth, an online cleaning company that connects clients to on-demand domestic cleaners 

Featured Image Courtesy: Naspers