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Digital Inclusion

New Lead for Google SA

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Former advertising exec Alistair Mokoena is taking over as country director for Google South Africa.

Google said in a statement that Mokoena will take up his new post in April 2020 and will oversee the commercial business for Google South Africa.

He fills the empty role left open when former country director Luke Mckend left at the end of 2018. Mckend spent 11 years at Google before leaving to take over as director for Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe at LinkedIn.

"Google is working hard to bring more Africans online, to unlock economic opportunities through working with local communities, and to make our products more helpful to Africans in the African continent. Mokoena's knowledge and expertise will be key to helping us deliver on these goals in the local market," said Google Africa Director Nitin Gajria about Mokoena's appointment.

Mokoena has a long history in the South African advertising sector and has been the CEO of Ogilvy South Africa for two years. Prior to that he was MD of Ogilvy South Africa and also worked at Absa, SAB, Tiger Brands, Unilever and Mondelez over the course of his career.

Alistair Mokoena will take over as country director for Google South Africa in April 2020.
Alistair Mokoena will take over as country director for Google South Africa in April 2020.

"The digital economy presents many challenges and opportunities -- particularly in developing markets like South Africa's," said Mokoena.

"Technology is mainstream and the online, digital world is no longer a challenger to the offline world. I am looking forward to joining Google South Africa, which is well-positioned to help South African organisations navigate a rapidly changing landscape as the online and offline worlds converge," he added.

He holds an LLB from Rhodes University, an MBA from MANCOSA and is working towards a PhD from the North West University School of Business, due for completion this year. He is the chairperson of the board of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa and was recently appointed Professor of Practice by the Johannesburg Business School.

— The Staff, Connecting Africa

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