Beauty Apleni, CEO, Openserve

In July 2025, Beauty Apleni was appointed CEO of Telkom’s Openserve business unit. She is set to play a crucial role in executing Openserve’s vision, leading its team into the next phase of its growth.

“Openserve’s position as South Africa’s largest telecommunications infrastructure provider gives us a unique responsibility to continue enabling seamless connectivity, ultimately contributing to South Africa’s development,” says Apleni. “My primary focus will be progressing the digital inclusion and prosperity through connectivity by driving Openserve’s evolution, in an everchanging digital landscape.

“A key objective is to enhance Openserve’s standing as the leading wholesale infrastructure provider by fostering innovation in broadband connectivity, expanding the network on untapped markets, while advancing our fibre network capabilities. This will ensure we can support the surging demand for high-speed, reliable internet across the country, aligning with South Africa’s vision for a digitally inclusive society.

“We will also work on strengthening our existing partnerships with key ICT players, the private and public sectors, and South African communities. Openserve is the foundation and critical enabler for the Telkom data-led strategy, driving the synergies within the broader Telkom Group.”

A priority for Apleni is to drive customer service excellence through operational efficiency and enhancing digital engagement to ensure ease of doing business with Openserve. Openserve’s strategies will be closely aligned with Telkom Group’s broader objectives.

“Openserve carries a vital responsibility as the weavers of seamless connectivity into the fabric of homes and businesses, thereby contributing directly to progress and prosperity,” she says.

“Our aim is to anticipate the evolving needs of our customers. By building upon Openserve’s strengths, we are poised to establish ourselves as the backbone of South Africa’s digital future and, beyond our borders, contribute to the infrastructure development of the entire SADC region.”

Apleni’s career has been shaped by a deep commitment to continuous learning, adaptability and collaboration. Originally from Gqeberha, she was raised in a family that valued education and hard work. Growing up, she was always curious about the potential of technology to change lives. She completed her tertiary education at Nelson Mandela University, earning a B.Sc in Computer Science. She subsequently completed qualifications in management, strategy and leadership, propelling her to a career in tech spanning 25 years.

“Over the years, I’ve held diverse leadership roles that exposed me to different facets of the ICT industry. This experience has been invaluable, especially in driving strategy and leading successful mergers and acquisitions.

“My leadership style is built on being purpose-driven, collaborative and customer-centric, focusing on delivering value for all stakeholders. I attribute much of my career success to my ability to build high-performance teams, maintain strong partnerships and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. I believe in leading by example, empowering others to succeed and nurturing talent by fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, challenged and empowered to grow.

“I focus on creating a workplace where people can thrive both professionally and personally. This includes offering mentorship opportunities and recognising achievements. I’ve learned that investing in people’s growth, not just their immediate skills but broader potential, leads to long-term retention and success. I aim to ‘lift as I rise,’ ensuring that others in my teams have the same opportunities I’ve had to develop their careers. Furthermore, by actively supporting and mentoring those around me, I believe we can build a stronger, more robust organisation.

“I make it a point to embed my values into the work culture and strategies we develop. I also recognise the importance of intentional prioritisation of maintaining work-life balance. I make time for family and my own personal development, which I believe helps me lead with greater consciousness. It’s about being present where it matters most and continuously striving to create an environment where people feel supported.

“Women bring a unique combination of empathy, resilience, compassion and collaborative thinking that is vital in today’s complex work environments. Their ability to foster inclusive cultures, listen actively, and support diverse perspectives helps drive innovation. Women often excel in balancing strategic vision with operational detail, enabling them to lead with clarity. These qualities contribute to team cohesion and performance, enhancing organisational agility and long-term success.”

“Notwithstanding our unique qualities as women leaders, we don’t expect to be measured differently from our male counterparts but demonstrate true, tangible equality through holding our positions on merit, while embracing our perspectives and strengths in this space.

“Women aspiring to build a career in technology should remain curious, adaptable, tenacious and focused. Don’t shy away from stepping into challenging roles; be bold decision-makers. Advocate for yourself, surround yourself with mentors, but also trust in your own capabilities. Seek feedback, push for recognition, negotiate for fair compensation, build a supportive, like-minded network, and embrace challenges and setbacks as growth opportunities.

“Building success is beyond having technical skills; it’s about aligning your passion with pursuit of your purpose. “Companies are more actively promoting diverse teams and creating platforms for women to thrive. We’re seeing more women in leadership positions in the tech space and a growing commitment to gender equality.

“However, women still face challenges. The pay gap remains because of long-standing biases and a lack of equal opportunities for women in high-paying, senior tech roles. Societal norms, unconscious biases, and limited access to mentorship can make it harder for women to advance in their careers. Under-representation of women in tech reflects the lack of encouragement for young women to pursue these fields, coupled with systemic barriers that hinder their growth.

“Leadership must be committed to creating a culture of equity where contributions are valued, regardless of gender,” concludes Apleni.

www.openserve.co.za