By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Sino Majangaza.
Telecommunications group Vodacom named Khumo Shuenyane as its chair, replacing Saki Macozoma, who will retire after his 10-year tenure.
Shuenyane, who currently serves as the lead independent director, will be appointed as the chairman with effect from July 21, 2027.
In a statement, the JSE-listed company says it has a self-imposed tenure of 10 years for board members.
“Accordingly, shareholders are advised that Mr Saki Macozoma, the chairman of the company, having served on the board since July 2017, will retire and step down from the board at the annual general meeting to be held on 20 July 2027.”
“The Board thanks Saki for his valuable leadership and significant contribution to Vodacom since 2017, overseeing the implementation of the Vision 2025 strategy,” Vodacom said.
“And for the inception of the Vision 2030 strategy, which heralded a transformational era for the business. The Board wishes him much success with his future endeavours.”
Macozoma was an anti-Apartheid activitist who was imprisoned on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela.
He served in Parliament following South Africa’s first democratic elections, before becoming a highly successful businessman, including in stints at South African Airways and Transnet.
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, who serves as chairperson of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee, will also retire from the board on 8 October 2026.
Mahanyele-Dabengwa was appointed to the board on 1 January 2019. She is also the CEO of Naspers South Africa and a director on its board.
Clive Thomson will take over from Mahanyele-Dabengwa as chairperson of the Remuneration Committee. He will also remain chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.
The final change will see African business veteran Segun Ogunsanya join the Vodacom Group board. He is set to be appointed as an independent non-executive director with effect from 9 October 2026.
He also served as group head at Ecobank Transnational, overseeing the bank’s retail activities across 28 African countries.
Ogunsanya also chairs the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund focused on economic stabilisation, infrastructure and future generations’ prosperity, and is a member of the board of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group.