Canal+ has confirmed the new management team for its African operations following the integration of MultiChoice Group into the French pay-TV operator’s business.
Calvo Mawela, outgoing CEO of MultiChoice, has been appointed Chairman of Canal+ Africa, while David Mignot becomes Chief Executive Officer of the enlarged operation, which will cover the entire continent, including French-speaking markets.
The leadership team has been drawn equally from both companies, with appointments spanning operations, content and corporate functions. The group will be structured into three divisions: TV and fibre operations, content, and corporate services.
Mignot said: “We have an incredible Africa leadership team and an exceptional track record across the continent and within the global group. Working together, we will deliver growth by telling unique, high quality African stories, bringing great international content to our subscribers and leveraging our scale across the global company.”
Seven nationalities are represented across the new structure, with executives including Nicolas Dandoy (CFO Africa), Aziz Diallo (CEO Pay-TV French-speaking Africa), Byron du Plessis (CEO Pay-TV South Africa), Fhulufhelo Badugela (CEO Pay-TV Rest of Africa), Jean-François Duboy (CEO GVA) and Fahmeeda Cassim-Surtee (CEO Advertising and Media Sales Africa).
Content responsibilities will be split between Fabrice Faux (sport and general entertainment for French-speaking Africa), Nomsa Philiso (general entertainment for English and Portuguese-speaking Africa) and Rendani Ramovha (sport for English and Portuguese-speaking Africa).
Additional appointments include Sabelo Mawali as CTO, Hennie Visser as Director of Business Operations, Clément Hellich-Praquin as General Secretary, and Michel Sibony as Chief Value Officer.
Specialist roles include Steven Budlendler as General Counsel, English-speaking Africa and Group special adviser: Common Law, and Tim Jacobs as Director of Group synergies in the finance department.
The move follows Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice earlier this year, creating a pay-TV and streaming operator with reach across the entire African continent.
