Vodacom names new MD as Ferrao contract ends in June

What you need to know:

  • A statement by Vodacom Tanzania said Mr Ferrao had reached the end of his three-year term and opted not to renew his contract.

Dar es Salaam. Vodacom Tanzania, the DSE-listed company, has announced an appointment of Ms Sylvia Mulinge as its new managing director to replace Mr Ian Ferrao who leaves the firm in June this year.

A statement by Vodacom Tanzania said Mr Ferrao had reached the end of his three-year term and opted not to renew his contract.

Instead he will pursue other interests.

Vodacom board chairman Ali Mufuruki praised Mr Ferrao for his achievements since he joined the company in 2015.

“The board is thankful for Ian’s years of service and his fantastic leadership. Ian exits the company having steered us through significant milestones, leaving a progressive legacy in the Tanzanian market,” said Mr Mufuruki.

Prior to joining Vodacom Tanzania, Mr Ferrao was the managing director of Vodacom Lesotho.

Before her new appointment, Ms Mulinge was Safaricom’s director of consumer business unit, where throughout her 17-year career, she built her reputation as one of Kenya’s outstanding business leader, a mentor and go-getter and qualities.

“We at Safaricom, have benefitted greatly from and will deeply miss. She will leave behind a very strong team,” said Safaricom managing director Bob Collymore.

Ms Mulinge, 41, was born in Kenya and attended local schools for her elementary and secondary education. She studied at the University of Nairobi, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology.

She began her career in August 2004, at Unilever, the European consumer products conglomerate, working as the assistant regional brand manager in the laundry division, based in Durban, South Africa. After nine months in South Africa, she was transferred to Kenya, as the brand manager for Sunlight, a Unilever brand.

She worked there for another nine months, from May 2005 until January 2006, based in Nairobi.

In February 2006 she was hired by Safaricom Limited as the manager responsible for the company’s pre-pay product, working in that capacity until November 2007.

Vodacom Tanzania is a subsidiary company of Vodacom Group (Pty) Limited, South Africa which is also a subsidiary of Vodafone Group UK.