EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Volkswagen Group Africa appoints new Sales and Marketing Director

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Simphiwe Nghona brings with him extensive experience in vehicle and asset finance, as well as management expertise at dealer level.

Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the appointment of Simphiwe Nghona as Sales and Marketing Director. His new role became effective from 1 May 2025. 

 

Nghona succeeds Thomas Milz, has served as the Head of Sales and Marketing at VWGA’s National Sales Organisation (NSO) since 1 July 2024. 

 

He is also Chairman of the Boards for both the Volkswagen Ghana and Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda subsidiaries, and serves as a non-executive Director for VW Financial Services, representing the Volkswagen Group. 

 

Vehicle and asset finance experience 

 

Prior to joining Volkswagen, he was Group Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance at Standard Bank, where he was responsible for the strategy and execution of five key business units across 14 African countries. 

Simphiwe Nghona. Photo: Volkswagen Group Africa

He has served as Divisional CEO of the Motor Division at vehicle and asset finance provider WesBank, where he led sales, marketing and strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including OEMs, motor dealers and financial partners. 

 

Nghona also gained valuable experience as Dealer Principal and Executive Director at the VW Market Square auto dealership at Kariega in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, overseeing dealership operations and strengthening customer and supplier relationships. 

 

“We are delighted to welcome Simphiwe into his new role as Sales and Marketing Director. His extensive industry experience, strategic mindset, and leadership capabilities will undoubtedly strengthen our team and drive our growth initiatives forward,” says Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa. 

 

Nghona holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from Henley Business School (University of Reading, UK) and has completed an Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD Business School in France. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

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    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.
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    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.

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