EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Brand South Africa announces Chief Marketing Officer appointment

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2026

Mmaphuti Rankapole-Tshifularo brings almost 30 years of experience across top multinational and locally based companies to new role.

Brand South Africa, the official marketing agency and custodian of the country’s nation brand, has appointed Mmaphuti Rankapole-Tshifularo as its new Chief Marketing Officer.

With close to 30 years of experience across top multinational and locally based companies, she is recognised for her expertise in long-term brand stewardship, strategic clarity and an ability to align, influence and lead diverse stakeholders.

Mmaphuti Rankapole-Tshifularo. Photo: Brand SA

Rankapole-Tshifularo’s career includes executive leadership roles at FMCG companies Famous Brands, Pioneer Foods and Tiger Brands, complemented by early roles at Yum Restaurants and Unilever.

“Her deep expertise in consumer insight, brand equity development, innovation strategy and cross-functional leadership will play a critical role in strengthening the organisation’s effectiveness in nation brand marketing and communications,” Brand South Africa says in a statement.

“Strengthened leadership in [marketing] ensures that Brand South Africa is better positioned to protect and enhance South Africa’s reputation [and] drive strategic marketing initiatives that portray a favourable image of the country.”

Prior to joining Brand South Africa, Rankapole-Tshifularo spent more than seven years at Pioneer Foods, a major producer and distributor of branded food and beverage products. Its brands include Sasko, Ceres, Liqui-Fruit and Weet-Bix.

On her LinkedIn profile, she says: “I excel at developing and executing business strategies that are aligned with consumer insights, market trends and cross-functional teams. I have a proven track record of driving innovation, enhancing brand equity, increasing market share, and improving service levels and quality.”

Rankapole-Tshifularo holds an MBA from GIBS Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of the Witwatersrand.

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