Canal+ has announced its new leadership team for Africa, following its mandatory takeover of MultiChoice, the owners of DStv and GOtv.
Last week, the French media company finalised a 48.2 per cent stake takeover in the company.
Canal+ first announced its intention to acquire Multichoice in February 2024, stating it would “be an important next step for MultiChoice to realise its full potential.”
Now, Canal+ directly owns 46.0 per cent of MultiChoice shares and received acceptances for an additional 2.2 per cent.
The company has appointed Mr Calvo Mawela, the outgoing CEO of MultiChoice, as chairman of Canal+ Africa (which now includes the MultiChoice Group and all of Africa, including French-speaking regions).
The newly formed top management team is drawn from the the two companies’ combined talent pool, with Canal+ and MultiChoice each contributing an equal number of senior executives.
Mr David Mignot was appointed CEO of the new combined entity, alongside several other leadership appointments.
The MultiChoice board has made changes to its composition and leadership team to allow for suitable Canal+ representation while maintaining its independence.
The board will oversee a renewed commercial drive to pursue sustainable growth, and includes a majority of independent directors.
The new board has been constituted to ensure stability through the transition while seeking to introduce fresh skills and international expertise.
Mr Mignot congratulated the new management team, observing that they have an exceptional track record across the continent and within the wider global group.
He said that by working together, they will deliver growth across Africa by telling unique, high-quality African stories, bringing great international content to subscribers, and leveraging their scale across the global company.
He added that the management team represents seven nationalities and brings diversity, knowledge, and networks to deliver best-in-class services and content to subscribers.
The new leadership will operate as a single management team covering the entire African continent, split across three divisions: operations (spanning TV and fibre activities), content, and corporate functions.
The new leadership appointments at Canal+ Africa are as follows: Mr David Mignot becomes CEO, Africa, Mr Nicolas Dandoy becomes CFO, Africa, Mr Aziz Diallo becomes CEO of PayTV for French-speaking Africa, Mr Byron du Plessis becomes CEO of PayTV South Africa, and Mr Fhulufhelo “Fhulu” Badugela becomes CEO of PayTV for the Rest of Africa.
Others include Mr Jean-François Duboy becomes CEO of GVA, Mr Hennie Visser becomes Director of Business Operations, Africa, Ms Fahmeeda Cassim-Surtee becomes CEO of Advertising and Media Sales, Africa, Mr Fabrice Faux becomes Director of Content, Sport and General Entertainment for French-speaking Africa, Ms Nomsa Phillso becomes Director of Content, General Entertainment for English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Ms Rendani Ramovha becomes Director of Content, Sport for English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Mr Clément Hellich-Praquin becomes General Secretary, Africa, Mr Jean-Christophe Ramos becomes Director of Public Affairs for French-speaking Africa, Ms Keabetswe Modimoeng becomes Director of Public Affairs for English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Mr Michel Sibony becomes Chief Value Officer, Africa, Mr Karim Bouzid becomes Director of Integration, Africa, Ms Hala Saab becomes Director of Brand and Communications, Africa, Mr Sabelo Mawali becomes Chief Technology Officer, Africa, and Mr Tshepi Malatjie becomes Director of Human Resources, Africa.
In addition, Mr Steven Budlender will manage legal affairs for English-speaking African countries, and Mr Tim Jacobs will manage synergies in the Finance department.