Safaricom Announces Major Board Changes Following Resignation of Two Directors

Safaricom PLC has announced the appointment of Mariam Cassim and Matimba Mbungela as non-executive directors, marking a change in the composition of the telecommunications company’s board.

In an announcement issued on August 13, 2026, Safaricom said the two appointments took effect on the same day, subject to regulatory approvals.

At the same time, Safaricom announced the resignation of James Ludlow and John Kipngetich Mosonik as non-executive directors of the board, effective August 13.

“The Board of Directors of Safaricom PLC is pleased to announce the appointments of Mariam Cassim and Matimba Mbungela as Non-Executive Directors with effect from 13 August 2026. The appointments are subject to regulatory approvals. The Board of Directors also wishes to announce the resignation of James Ludlow and Dr. (Eng.) John Kipngetich Mosonik as Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Safaricom Plc with effect from 13 August 2026,” the company announced.

Safaricom Appoints New Board Members

Mariam Cassim, one of the two newly appointed directors, serves as the Chief Executive Officer, Fintech, at Vodacom Group Limited.

She has held senior positions at the group since 2017 and brings experience in corporate finance, deal structuring, mergers and acquisitions, debt structuring, commercial management, and executive leadership.

Additionally, Cassim has experience in innovation, business disruption, and new business development.

Through her work in these areas, she has developed commercially sustainable solutions that create value for businesses and society.

Cassim is a chartered accountant and holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, where she graduated cum laude.

Also Read: Safaricom Announces Key Board Changes Following AGM

Matimba Mbungela Brings Human Resources Experience

Meanwhile, Mbungela serves as the Chief Officer, Human Resources, at Vodacom Group Limited, a position he has held since 2014.

Before taking up the role, he served as Managing Executive, Human Resources for Vodacom/Vodafone Group from 2003, holding various senior positions within the human resources function.

Mbungela also spent three years working at Vodafone as Regional Head of Organisational Effectiveness and Change and Regional Head of Talent for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.

Before that assignment, he led talent management at Vodacom for six years, where he integrated Vodacom’s talent strategy into Vodafone’s global strategy.

He also held senior human resources roles at multinational organisations, including BMW South Africa and Unilever.

Beyond those roles, Mbungela represents the Vodacom Employees Trust (Siyanda) on the YeboYethu Board. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Vodacom Tanzania PLC, Vodacom Mozambique and Vodacom Lesotho.

In addition, 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.

He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration (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.

Also Read: Kenya Airways Appoints High Court Advocate Catherine Musakali as Board Director

Company Thanks Departing Directors

Meanwhile, Safaricom thanked Ludlow and Mosonik for their contributions to the company during their time on the board and its committees.

“The Board takes this opportunity to thank James Ludlow and Dr. (Eng.) John Kipngetich Mosonik for their robust contributions at the Committee and Board meetings of the Company and wishes them the very best for the future,” the company said.

Other Board Changes in Safaricom

The board changes follow another recent leadership change at Safaricom as in July 2026, Esther Masese Waititu resigned as the company’s Chief Financial Services Officer.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa told staff that Waititu would leave to pursue other opportunities and that her last working day would be July 31, 2026.

Waititu joined Safaricom in February 2023 as Chief Financial Services Officer, where she led the company’s Financial Services Business. Before joining Safaricom, she served as KCB Group’s Director of Corporate Banking.

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