Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
MultiChoice has appointed Willington Ngwepe, former CEO of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), as the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice LicenceCo, the entity responsible for managing DStv’s subscription broadcasting licences in South Africa. Ngwepe, who previously served as Executive Head of Regulatory Affairs at MultiChoice Group, brings deep expertise in regulatory strategy and corporate leadership.
His appointment is seen as a move to reinforce governance and compliance within the company as it undergoes structural adjustments following the acquisition by French media giant Groupe Canal+. LicenceCo was established as part of MultiChoice’s restructuring process to comply with South African broadcasting laws that limit foreign ownership and voting rights in local broadcast licensees to 20%.
The entity serves as the legal body contracting with South African DStv subscribers and operates independently of the group’s international assets. Alongside Ngwepe’s appointment, AfriFund Investments, led by former Telkom Group CEO Sipho Maseko, joins LicenceCo as a shareholder, alongside Identity Partners and Phuthuma Nathi, MultiChoice’s black economic empowerment scheme. Maseko will serve as a board observer, supporting oversight and strategic direction.
These leadership changes form part of a broader governance framework aimed at ensuring compliance, stability, and continuity in MultiChoice’s South African operations. The LicenceCo board will be chaired by Sizeka Magwentshu-Rustenburg, with Sonja de Bruyn of Identity Partners and Lerato Pule, representing Phuthuma Nathi, among the newly appointed members.
The announcement follows Canal+’s full acquisition of MultiChoice Group, which resulted in David Mignot assuming the role of Group CEO and Calvo Mawela transitioning to serve as Chairman of Canal+ Africa. Together, the appointments mark a new chapter for MultiChoice as it navigates its integration into the Canal+ global network while maintaining strong local governance and compliance with South African broadcasting regulations.
