Telkom chairperson and head of Business Unity South Africa, Jabu Mabuza, will chair the African division of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (AB InBev) merged company with SABMiller, the company has announced.
This forms part of AB InBev’s announcement of its new organisational structure, leadership team and other key appointments for the combined group intended to be implemented following completion of the R1.45trn merger with SABMiller.
AB InBev says in a statement to shareholders the organisational design would allow the combined group to focus on delivering its ambitious long-term organic growth objectives while integrating the two businesses, “capturing the best of both”.
Through the largely complementary geographical footprints and brand portfolios of AB InBev and SABMiller, the combined group would have operations in virtually every major beer market and would provide tremendous growth opportunities across new and existing markets around the world.
Mabuza will work with CEO, Carlos Brito, to finalise the governance and constitution of the board, AB Inbev says.
Mabuza’s successful entrepreneurial background, pan-African experience and involvement with the public sector will be invaluable to the combined group and the Africa board, which will play an important role in advising the business across the continent as it moves forward, AB Inbev said.
A veteran with impeccable business acumen, Mabuza has held a number of board memberships, including the Tanzanian Breweries, Castle Brewing Company (Kenya) and South African Tourism. He was also group chief executive of Tsogo Sun Holdings and CEO of Fabcos Marketing.
“We are fully committed to driving growth across the African continent, working very closely with the communities in which the business operates to advance both the commercial and social agendas,” says Brito.
“I am honoured that Mr Jabu Mabuza has agreed to lead our Africa Board as chairman,” he says. “His successful entrepreneurial background, pan-African experience and involvement with the public sector will be invaluable to the combined group and the Africa board, which will play an important role in advising the business across the continent as it moves forward.”
