EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

SABC appoints Enver Groenewald as its first Chief Commercial Officer

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

He will oversee advertising and sponsorship sales, as well as alternative revenue streams, partnerships and commercial opportunities. 

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has appointed well-known marketing industry personality Enver Groenewald as Chief Commercial Officer, effective from 1 October 2025.

 

The introduction of the Chief Commercial Officer role marks a significant evolution in the Corporation’s strategic approach to revenue generation.  

Enver Groenewald

Photo: LinkedIn

“This executive role replaces the former Group Executive: Sales portfolio and reflects the SABC’s determination to broaden and integrate all aspects of its commercial operations in line with the organisation’s five-year strategy to build long-term financial sustainability,” the SABC states. 

  

Groenewald will oversee not only advertising and sponsorship sales, but also television licence fee collections, alternative revenue streams, partnerships, and new commercial opportunities.  

 

Holistic approach to driving revenue growth 

 

“This consolidated mandate ensures a holistic approach to driving revenue growth and future-fit business practices that can secure the SABC’s role as a sustainable public broadcaster,” the broadcaster explains. 

  

Comments Nomsa Chabeli, Group CEO: “The appointment of a Chief Commercial Officer signals a new chapter in the way we approach revenue generation. This is not just a title change; it is a strategic shift to ensure every commercial lever works together in delivering value for the Corporation and for our stakeholders.”  

  

Groenewald brings more than two decades of leadership experience across media, advertising, classical marketing and digital transformation in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.  

 

He has held senior executive roles such as Africa Director for Media, Marketing Capabilities, and Digital Transformation at Unilever; Group Chief Executive Officer at Ogilvy South Africa; Chief Executive Officer at Interbrand Southern Africa; General Manager: Revenue at Avusa (now Arena Holdings); and Chief Executive Officer of Ochre Media. 

 

“I am honoured to join the SABC at such a pivotal time in its journey,” says Groenewald. “The new Chief Commercial Officer mandate provides a powerful platform to reimagine how we deliver value to our audiences, our clients, and the country at large. I look forward to working with the team to unlock the full commercial potential of the SABC and to help secure its sustainability for the future.” 

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Jason Lottering
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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.