MultiChoice Appoints Willington Ngwepe as CEO of LicenceCo
MultiChoice Group has announced the appointment of Willington Ngwepe, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), as the new CEO of MultiChoice LicenceCo. LicenceCo is the entity responsible for managing DStv’s subscription broadcasting licences in South Africa.
Ngwepe’s appointment marks a key step in strengthening governance, regulatory compliance, and operational stability within MultiChoice as it undergoes restructuring following its full acquisition by French media giant Groupe Canal+.
A Strategic Move to Reinforce Governance and Compliance
Before his appointment, Ngwepe served as Executive Head of Regulatory Affairs at MultiChoice Group, where he played a central role in shaping regulatory strategy and engagement with policymakers. His deep understanding of the broadcasting and telecommunications landscape makes him well-positioned to lead LicenceCo through its next phase of growth and compliance oversight.
The creation of LicenceCo forms part of MultiChoice’s broader restructuring plan to comply with South Africa’s broadcasting laws, which restrict foreign ownership and voting rights in local broadcast licensees to 20%. The entity acts as the legal contracting body for DStv’s South African subscribers and operates independently from MultiChoice’s international operations.
New Shareholders and Board Strengthening
Alongside Ngwepe’s appointment, AfriFund Investments, led by former Telkom Group CEO Sipho Maseko, joins LicenceCo as a shareholder, alongside Identity Partners and Phuthuma Nathi, MultiChoice’s black economic empowerment (BEE) scheme.
Maseko will serve as a board observer, contributing to strategic oversight and governance. The LicenceCo board will be chaired by Sizeka Magwentshu-Rustenburg, with Sonja de Bruyn of Identity Partners and Lerato Pule, representing Phuthuma Nathi, joining as board members.
Post-Acquisition Governance and Leadership Realignment
These appointments come on the heels of Canal+’s full acquisition of MultiChoice Group, a transaction that reshaped the company’s leadership structure. Following the acquisition, David Mignot became Group CEO, while Calvo Mawela transitioned to Chairman of Canal+ Africa.
This latest governance update ensures continuity, compliance, and operational independence for MultiChoice’s South African broadcasting operations while aligning the company with Canal+’s global standards.
A New Chapter for MultiChoice South Africa
The appointment of Willington Ngwepe as LicenceCo CEO signifies MultiChoice’s commitment to transparent governance, local regulatory compliance, and empowered leadership in South Africa’s broadcasting landscape.
As MultiChoice integrates into the Canal+ global network, LicenceCo’s strengthened leadership and board structure will play a critical role in maintaining trust, accountability, and stability for its millions of DStv subscribers.
