ALI SA Fellow, Sindi Mabaso-Koyana’s (Class VIII: Mahube) appointment as chair of the MTN South Africa board marks a significant milestone for the ALI SA community and a powerful affirmation of values-based leadership in action. Taking up this role at one of Africa’s leading telecoms companies, she will help steer a business that sits at the heart of digital and financial inclusion on the continent, where robust governance and ethical decision-making are critical. Her appointment reflects not only her own track record in corporate leadership and board governance, but also the calibre of Fellows who are increasingly being called to lead in complex, high-impact environments.
MTN Group has announced wider changes to its board and governance structures as part of a long-term succession and strategy refresh, including the appointment of five new independent non-executive directors at Group level and additional leadership changes in South Africa. Within this broader context, Sindi Mabaso-Koyana’s new role as chair of MTN South Africa underscores how Fellows are helping to guide organisations through periods of transition, strategic repositioning and heightened stakeholder expectations. It is a reminder that principled leadership, deep governance expertise and a commitment to the “Good Society” are not abstract ideals, but qualities that shape real-world decisions in boardrooms that influence millions of lives.
For ALI SA, this moment highlights the fellowship’s mission to develop leaders who move from success to significance by stepping into roles where they can advance ethical, inclusive and future-focused outcomes at scale. As Fellows continue to assume responsibility in critical sectors such as telecommunications, finance and public service, their impact extends beyond individual organisations into the broader African leadership story. Readers who would like more detail on MTN’s broader board changes, the new directors appointed and the governance context around this transition can access the full TechCentral article: HERE
