BrandSA appoints new CEO

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Pretoria - Brand South Africa announced on Wednesday that Kingsley Makhubela has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the entity.

Makhubela will be in the CEO position until 2020.

Brand SA’s Chairperson Chichi Maponya welcomed Makhubela’s appointment, saying the trustees, management and staff of Brand SA are certain that his experience in the public service will be invaluable in positioning South Africa as an investment destination of choice.

“We wish him well in his tenure as CEO and we are confident that he will inspire new ways of managing the country’s reputation in challenging times,” said Maponya.

Makhubela has represented South Africa as a Head of Mission, was the Director General at the Department of Tourism and worked as Chief of State Protocol at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

“His tenure at the Department of Tourism makes him an ideal candidate as CEO of Brand South Africa since place and/or destination marketing is one of the elements of nation branding.

“Mr Makhubela was at the helm of the Department of Tourism during South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first in Africa. During Mr Makhubela’s term of office at the department, he displayed a competence in bringing together a range of stakeholders in positioning South Africa as a preferred tourism destination,” said Brand SA.

At the Department of International Relations, Makhubela was responsible for coordinating all incoming and outgoing international visits by the President, Deputy President, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, all visiting Head of State and Government and a host of other dignitaries.

He has also served South Africa in the capacity of Ambassador to Portugal from 1996-2001 and as High Commissioner to Kenya from 2001-2005.

Makhubela has expressed his appreciation at being appointed to head Brand SA.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with my capable and passionate team to position South Africa as an investment destination of choice,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za