TechMarge reports that Google has announced the appointment of seasoned technology leader, Kabelo Makwane as the new country director for South Africa. Who is currently the Managing Executive for Vodacom Business’s Cloud, Hosting, and Security division, Makwane will officially resume the tech giant early next year, stepping into the role previously held by Alistair Mokoena.
With over twenty years of experience in the technology industry, Makwane’s resume showcases a stellar career path. Google highlighted his impactful contributions across various roles, including eight years at Microsoft as Country Managing Director for Nigeria and Public Sector Director in South Africa. He also served as Cisco’s Regional Manager for the public sector in South Africa for five years. Before joining Vodacom, he led the Africa Global Unit at Accenture Operations as Managing Director and held a similar role in cloud and technology consulting.
Although, Mokoena’s leadership also positioned Google as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation on the African continent.
In response to Makwane appointment, he expressed his enthusiasm, emphasizing Google’s innovation-driven culture:
“Google is an AI-first company that continues to drive personal and economic growth in Africa. I am thrilled to join the team in South Africa and look forward to helping more people and businesses maximize the potential of AI, the internet, and other transformative technologies,” he said.
Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Google Africa, also welcomed Makwane onboard, stating:
“Kabelo’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as digital transformation sweeps across Africa. His expertise will be instrumental in leveraging AI to deliver impactful solutions for our users, partners, and advertisers in this exciting era.”
Makwane, who holds an MBA from Wits Business School and a BCom from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the tech space.
Google faces hurdles as Makwane steps in
Makwane’s appointment occurs during a challenging period for Google, as the company faces increasing scrutiny over its market practices. In November, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) intensified legal action against Google, seeking the sale of its Chrome browser amid allegations of market monopolization.
Valued at an estimated $15-$20 billion, Chrome has been significant to Google’s advertising ecosystem. The DoJ claims that Google leverages data from Chrome’s 3 billion active users to enhance its ad targeting capabilities, which drive the majority of its revenue.
Antitrust officials have recommended severe measures, including data licensing requirements and potential restrictions on Google’s use of search engine data in its AI products. While the U.S. government has yet to finalize the decision to mandate Chrome’s sale, ongoing discussions indicate vital changes could reshape the online search and AI markets.
In response, Google defended its ownership of Chrome in a blog post, stating that splitting off the browser would deter innovation and jeopardize its free availability. “Breaking up these companies won’t fundamentally solve user concerns,” the statement noted, as gathered by TechMarge.
As the legal battle continues, Google’s focus remains on expanding its AI capabilities and maintaining its market leadership, with industry experts closely watching the outcome of these high-stakes proceedings.
