Economics
Naspers Upends Century of History by Naming Black Woman CEO
- Mahanyele-Dabengwa appointed head of South African operations
- She has close business ties to President Cyril Ramaphosa
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A little more than 100 years ago, Naspers Ltd. was created by white South Africans to produce a Dutch-language newspaper. Now the continent’s biggest company, Naspers just named its first woman, and first black person, as chief executive officer.
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa’s appointment to head the South African unit doesn’t just buck the trend of white, male directors at Naspers. Only one black woman now runs a Top 40-listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and only seven men of color do. The new Naspers unit won’t be traded, at least right away, and includes e-commerce, food delivery, newspapers and online media.