NAIROBI, Kenya — Safaricom Plc has appointed two Vodacom Group executives to its board as Non-Executive Directors, in changes that also see two existing directors leave the telecommunications company’s board.
Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, Fintech Mariam Cassim, and Chief Officer, Human Resources Matimba Mbungela, were appointed with effect from August 13, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
The appointments were announced alongside the resignation of James Ludlow and Dr (Eng) John Kipngetich Mosonik as Non-Executive Directors, also effective August 13.
Safaricom said Cassim brings extensive experience in corporate finance, deal structuring, mergers and acquisitions, debt structuring, commercial management and executive leadership.
“Mariam Cassim is the Chief Executive Officer, Fintech at Vodacom Group Limited,” Safaricom said, noting that she has held senior positions within the group since 2017.
The company said her career has included work in innovation, business disruption and new business development, including the development of commercially sustainable solutions designed to create value for businesses and society.
Cassim is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, where she graduated cum laude.
Mbungela brings extensive HR experience
Mbungela has served as Vodacom Group’s Chief Officer, Human Resources since 2014, following several senior human resources roles within Vodacom and Vodafone Group.
Before taking up his current position, he served as Managing Executive, Human Resources for Vodacom/Vodafone Group from 2003. He also worked as Regional Head of Organisational Effectiveness and Change and Regional Head of Talent for Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific while on secondment to Vodafone.
Safaricom said Mbungela spent six years overseeing talent management at Vodacom, where he helped integrate the company’s talent strategy with Vodafone’s global strategy.
His previous experience includes senior human resources positions at BMW South Africa and Unilever.
Mbungela represents the Vodacom Employees Trust, known as Siyanda, on the YeboYethu Board. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Vodacom Tanzania, Vodacom Mozambique and Vodacom Lesotho.
He has served as a director on the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership Advisory Board since June 1, 2020.
Mbungela holds a Bachelor of Administration degree from the University of Venda, an MBA in Strategy and Human Resources from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources from the University of Cape Town.
Two directors exit Safaricom board
The board also announced the departure of Ludlow and Mosonik, thanking both directors for their contributions to Safaricom’s governance and committee work.
Safaricom described their contributions during board and committee meetings as robust and wished them well in their future endeavours.
The latest changes strengthen the representation of Vodacom Group executives on Safaricom’s board while bringing additional expertise in fintech, corporate finance, human resources, innovation and business transformation.
The appointments come as Safaricom continues to expand its digital and financial services businesses, with governance and strategic oversight remaining important as the company evolves beyond traditional telecommunications services.
