SAP Africa, an influential leader in the digital transformation industry, recently announced Kholiwe Makhohliso as the latest addition to its top brass, stepping in as the Managing Director of its Southern Africa Division.
The latest appointment marks a milestone as SAP Africa finds itself at an inflection point in its developmental journey. Businesses in Southern Africa are now waking up to the vast prospects of intelligent technologies that optimize operations, fortify sustainability initiatives, and invigorate their overall transition to a digitally-empowered paradigm. With Makhohliso at the helm, these initiatives are set to gain momentum, thanks to her extensive leadership experience and tech expertise.
Makhohliso’s induction comes at a time when the region is experiencing a paradigm shift towards adaptable and robust business processes. This shift is instrumental in stimulating growth across a range of industries, in line with the larger trend of digital transformation sweeping across the globe. This changing landscape presents ample opportunities for companies like SAP Africa to implement intelligent technologies for productivity enhancements and efficiency improvements.
Sergio Maccotta, the Senior Vice-President for Middle East South and Africa at SAP, sees this as a welcome development. Makhohliso’s technological acumen and leadership skills, he believes, will aid in driving SAP’s innovation goals, eventually stimulating economic growth across Southern Africa. In his words:
“Kholiwe’s appointment to this strategic leadership role will be invaluable in further leading SAP’s efforts in Southern Africa to power innovation and ultimately fuel economic growth.”
Charting a Multifaceted Professional Course
Makhohliso’s journey in the tech world spans more than two decades, beginning in an auditing role. From there, she has moved across various domains, making her mark in IT, consulting, and sales. She has worked with industry giants like Accenture and Oracle, bringing in her unique perspective and strategies to drive growth. Before her new role with SAP Africa, she served as Vice-President and Country MD for Software AG, a distinguished German software company, where she was a prominent member of the board.
However, her contribution extends beyond the boundaries of her professional life. Makhohliso has consistently been involved in social causes, as evident in her current role as the leader of Sparrow Trust. This non-profit organization is dedicated to offering education and learning opportunities to underprivileged South African youth. This role underscores her commitment to fostering a better society through education and development, mirroring SAP Africa’s commitment to leveraging technology for societal benefits.
Joining SAP Africa during its ambitious strides towards becoming a cloud leader, Makhohliso is ready to harness the potential of AI and sustainability in the Southern African market. She is eager to build on the well-established customer base of SAP in the region and deepen these relationships. She looks forward to further enhancing customer engagement, thereby making a positive impact, powered by technology.
Transitioning Leadership for Continued Success at SAP Africa
SAP Africa is simultaneously preparing for another leadership transition. The current MD, Cathy Smith, will soon be assuming a new role as her contract term concludes.
Smith, who has been with SAP Africa since 2018 after a three-year term as Cisco’s MD for Sub-Saharan Africa, has been instrumental in shaping SAP Africa’s market strategies. She has cultivated an environment that places a high value on diversity, equality, and inclusivity, as evidenced by the company’s leadership and workforce statistics.
Before Cisco, Smith had an illustrious career with IBM, holding a variety of leadership roles over 23 years. She has been pivotal in promoting SAP’s cloud business and nurturing an inclusive culture, thereby laying the groundwork for a promising future within SAP. The company reassures that Smith’s role transition will be managed responsibly, ensuring continuity and maintaining governance standards for all stakeholders.
These top-tier changes at SAP Africa symbolize the company’s steadfast commitment to leading digital transformation and championing diverse, inclusive leadership in the tech industry.
