Google appoints Kabelo Makwane as new South Africa country director

by Thinus Ferreira

Google has appointed Kabelo Makwane as its new South Africa country director from 6 January 2025.

He replaces Dr Alistair Mokoena who served in the position from April 2020 until July 2024.

Kabelo Makwane joins Google from Vodacom Business where is currently the managing executive for Vodacom's cloud, hosting and security business.

The exec has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector.

Prior to Vodacom, Kabelo Makwane was managing director for the Africa Global Unit at Accenture Operations, and also held the role of managing director for Cloud and Technology Consulting. 

 

Kabelo Makwane also spent 8 years at Microsoft in various roles including as country managing director for Nigeria and the public sector director in South Africa. He also served as Cisco's regional manager for public sector in South Africa for 5 years.

"I'm excited to join the team in South Africa and to help more people and businesses get more out of AI, the internet, and technology in general," says Kabelo Makwane.

Alex Okosi, Google Africa managing director, says "We are thrilled to welcome Kabelo as he joins us at an incredibly exciting time for both Africa and Google".

"With digital transformation accelerating across the continent, we are poised to leverage the power of AI to deliver innovative solutions that enable our users, partners and advertisers to thrive in this dynamic era. We're thrilled to have Kabelo join our leadership team."

Kabelo Makwane, holds an MBA from Wits Business School (WBS) and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

Alex Okosi upped as managing director of Google Africa.

by Thinus Ferreira

Google has upped African regional YouTube boss Alex Okosi as new managing director of Google in Africa.

In his new position Alex Okosi will oversee Google's operations across Africa "helping businesses and economies on the continent grow, as well as expanding access and providing tools to help the next billion users get more from the web" Google says in a statement, announcing his promotion.

Alex Okosi exited Paramount Africa, then called Viacom International Media Networks Africa, to join Google's YouTube for Africa in January 2020 as managing director of YouTube for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"I am excited at the prospect of leading Google’s team in Africa and the opportunity to be an even closer part of this diverse and dynamic region, which is so close to my heart," says Alex Okosi in a supplied quote in the statement.

"I’m a firm believer in the potential for technology and, in particular, the internet to improve people’s lives and help individuals and businesses in Africa to thrive."

Meir Brand, vice president for the EMEA emerging markets region at Google, says in the press statement that "Alex has a deep understanding of African countries and a passion for using technology to empower people and businesses".

Google has offices in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.

Google launches YouTube Premium in South Africa.

Google has launched YouTube Premium in South Africa with a primary focus on YouTube Music Premium, while premium TV content on YouTube Premium still remains inaccessible.

YouTube Red rebranded as YouTube Premium in May 2018, with YouTube Music Premium that offers an ad-free music streaming service providing music videos, albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and some hard-to-find music.

YouTube Music has ads and is integrated with Google Play Music. A paid subscription to YouTube Music Premium for R59.99 per month or R89.99 per month for a Family Plan and removes the ads as an ad-free experience and offers downloads.

YouTube Premium costs R71.99 per month or R109.99 for the Family Plan. A Family Plan subscription gives up to 6 people the option to share a single subscription.

YouTube in South Africa doesn't make YouTube Originals TV series and films available to users yet. Only the first two episodes of the science fiction drama series, Origin, is for instance available to watch for free on YouTube that was filmed last year in Cape Town, without the possibility of seeing the rest of the 8-episode series.

Asha Patel, head of marketing at Google South Africa, says YouTube Music offers features that music lovers will really enjoy.

"A home screen that dynamically adapts to provide recommendations based on what you've played before, where you are and what you're doing. Thousands of playlists across any genre, moor or activity. The hottest new music. And no internet? No problem. Get You Tube Music Premium to listen ad-free, in the background and on-the-go with downloads," she says.

"With the Smart Search feature on YouTube Music, music lovers can find any song, even if they can't remember what it's called."

Google SA says Smart Search is available in most indigenous South African languages including isiZulu and isiXhosa.

"Google Play Music subscribers will automatically receive access to YouTube Music Premium at their current price. Nothing is changing with Google Play Music - you'll still be able to access all of your purchased music, uploads and playlists in Google Play Music just like always," says Asha Patel.