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Sponsored: Rising Together: Meet Vodacom Business’ Next Generation of Women Leaders
Six top performers share their journey, lessons, and vision for the future of tech leadership.
01 August 2026
In the heart of South Africa’s digital transformation, a powerful cohort of women leaders at Vodacom Business is charting a new course defined not by individual achievement alone, but by collective elevation. Meet six extraordinary professionals who embody what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and unwavering commitment to bringing others along.
Christene Ramduth, Business Manager to the Vodacom Business Director, has spent 11 years building her career through lateral and upward moves. “Don’t allow other people to dictate your growth or tell you something cannot be done,” she advises. “Find a mentor, sponsor, or coach. You need this as part of your journey, alongside trusting your own voice.”
Thando Nyathi, Product Manager for Smart Utilities, exemplifies consistent excellence. Transitioning from contractor to permanent employment and earning a promotion within months, her trajectory demonstrates Vodacom’s commitment to recognising talent. “When your hard work is noticed, it validates that your commitment matters,” she reflects.
For Pinkie Matee, Acting IoT Connectivity Sales Executive with eight years at Vodacom, embracing change has been transformative. “In an ever-evolving business environment, change is inevitable and necessary for growth. I have learned the importance of continuously reinventing myself, staying relevant, and adapting to new opportunities.” Her advice is direct: “Own your career, build strong relationships, seek mentorship, and support others along the way. Don’t hesitate to take up space in rooms where decisions are made.”
Tebogo Mabaso, Product Manager, brings four years of strategic innovation to her role. “When a business invests in your growth, it demonstrates confidence in your potential. As a woman, that support is empowering because it gives you the confidence to grow as a leader and encourage other women to pursue opportunities with confidence.”
Mpho Khoele, Business Development Manager for the Vodacom Microsoft Business Group, joined in January 2024 and has already experienced meaningful investment. “Vodacom supported my postgraduate diploma in General Management through a bursary, which proves the company is serious about growing its people,” she shares. On resilience, Mpho emphasises: “I learned to embrace failure as my teacher. Now I use it to build resilience, accountability, and a growth mindset.” Her guidance to other women is unambiguous: “Grow your network. No one gets ahead on their own.”
Vuyokazi Sithole, Account Executive, brings perspective after 10 months at Vodacom. “Managing complex customer needs and navigating a fast-paced environment have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of collaboration,” she reflects. “Be confident in your abilities, embrace continuous learning, seek out mentors, and never be afraid to pursue opportunities that challenge you.”
What unites these future leaders is structured and intentional support. Vodacom invests in women’s development through mentorship programmes, skills training, bursaries, and deliberate advancement opportunities. The company recognises that diversity without inclusion is merely representation. Authentic advancement requires systems, processes, and leaders committed to broadening decision making opportunities.
Videsha Proothveerajh, Director of Vodacom Business, emphasises: “Women at Vodacom represent 41.7% of our management and senior leadership. We must continue advancing women into positions of genuine decision-making power, not representation alone.” “Part of the larger group of Top Performers at Vodacom, these six women are architects of the future; deliberate about mentoring emerging talent, transparent about challenges navigated, and resolute that women belong at every table where strategy is shaped,” Proothveerajh concludes.”
