Johannesburg, 13 February 2026: Brand South Africa is proud to extend a warm welcome to two newest members of its team, Ms Mmaphuti Rankapole-Tshifularo, appointed as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Ms Sherylee Shaik, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The appointments mark an important milestone in strengthening the organisation’s executive leadership capacity as it advances its mandate to build and protect South Africa’s Nation Brand.

With close to 30 years of experience across top multinational and South African companies, Ms Rankapole‑Tshifularo is recognised for her deep expertise in long‑term brand stewardship, strategic clarity, and her strong ability to align, influence and lead diverse stakeholders. Her career includes executive leadership roles at Famous Brands, Pioneer Foods and Tiger Brands, complemented by early roles at Yum! Restaurants and Unilever. She holds an MBA from GIBS Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of the Witwatersrand. 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.

Ms Shaik joins Brand South Africa as Chief Financial Officer, bringing a strong track record in financial governance, strategic oversight and public sector financial management. A Chartered Accountant (SA) with an MBA and Postgraduate Diploma in General Management from GIBS Business School, Ms Shaik is a SAICA Top 35 under 35 Finalist and a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African Finalist. She has also been recognised as a Finalist in the CFO Awards (2021 and 2025).

Prior to joining Brand South Africa, she served as Chief Financial Officer at the Competition Tribunal of South Africa and previously at the Johannesburg Development Agency, where she led financial strategy, governance, audit compliance and treasury management. Ms Shaik’s expertise in financial stewardship, compliance and institutional governance will ensure that Brand South Africa continues to uphold the highest standards of accountability, sustainability and operational excellence.

In welcoming the two executives, Neville Matjie, the Chief Executive Officer said “These appointments reflect Brand South Africa’s commitment to closing critical leadership gaps and reinforcing organisational capacity. A fully capacitated executive team enhances the organisation’s ability to deliver effectively on its mandate”.

As the custodian of South Africa’s image and reputation, Brand South Africa plays a pivotal role in shaping a positive, compelling, credible and competitive global positioning of the country. Strengthened leadership in both Marketing and Finance ensures that Brand South Africa is better positioned to protect and enhance South Africa’s reputation, drive strategic marketing initiatives that portray a favourable image of the country and ensures sound financial governance that delivers measurable impact.

Brand South Africa would like to welcome Ms Rankapole-Tshifularo and Ms Shaik to the team, wishing them all the success as they begin their new journey to advance a strong resilient and globally competitive country brand.

ENDS///

Issued by: Brand South Africa

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