Safaricom Plc has reconstituted its board with the appointment of two senior Vodacom Group executives as Non-Executive Directors, while two existing directors have stepped down from the board.
Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, Fintech Mariam Cassim, and Chief Officer, Human Resources Matimba Mbungela, joined the Safaricom board effective August 13, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Their appointment comes alongside the resignation of James Ludlow and Dr (Eng) John Kipngetich Mosonik, who also left their positions as Non-Executive Directors on 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 Cassim has also built experience in innovation, business disruption and developing new businesses, including 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, meanwhile, has been Vodacom Group's Chief Officer, Human Resources since 2014, having previously held several senior human resources positions at Vodacom and Vodafone Group.
He joined the role after serving as Managing Executive, Human Resources for Vodacom/Vodafone Group from 2003. During his career, 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 successfully integrated the company's talent strategy into Vodafone's global strategy.
His earlier career 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 further served as a director on the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership Advisory Board since June 1, 2020.
Safaricom said 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.
The Safaricom board also thanked Ludlow and Mosonik for their “robust contributions” during committee and board meetings and wished them well in the future.