Top Marketing Experts in South Africa Shaping the Future of the Marketing Landscape

South Africa’s marketing landscape is experiencing a dynamic transformation, propelled by rapid digital adoption and shifting consumer behaviors. As of early 2025, the country boasts over 50.8 million internet users, accounting for 78.9% of the population. Social media platforms have become integral to daily life, with 26.7 million active users, representing 41.5% of the total population. 

In this digitally charged environment, marketing experts in South Africa are not just brand custodians but also innovators and cultural architects. They are crafting campaigns that resonate deeply with diverse audiences, leveraging data-driven insights to drive engagement and loyalty.

This article celebrates marketing experts in South Africa, who are setting new standards of excellence and steering their brands to unprecedented heights in an increasingly competitive and connected market.

1. Khensani Nobanda – Group Executive, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Nedbank.

As Group Executive at Nedbank, Khensani Nobanda aligns brand messaging with business strategy across the organization’s diverse operations and teams. Her leadership ensures marketing is creative, compelling, and fully integrated into Nedbank’s broader growth, innovation, and transformation strategy.

Her approach is rooted in harnessing creativity for measurable business impact, guided by a strong intuition for effective storytelling and a passion for purpose-led branding.

In SCOPEN’s 2023/24 AGENCY SCOPE study, Khensani was named South Africa’s most admired marketing professional, a testament to her influence, innovation, and inspiring leadership.

2. Sydney Mbhele – Group Executive, Brand and Marketing, Absa.

Sydney has 20+ years’ experience in brand strategy, communications, and reputation management, blending strategic insight with executional excellence seamlessly. As Group CMO at Absa, he leads brand and stakeholder engagement across Africa and global offices in US, UK, China.

He has consistently championed marketing and communications strategies that deliver business growth while enhancing brand equity and stakeholder trust.

A recognized industry leader, Sydney was ranked the #2 marketer in South Africa in 2023 and placed among the top 5 CMOs across Africa and the Middle East in SCOPEN’s 2021 survey.

3. Vaughan Croeser – Vice President, Marketing, AB InBev.

Vaughan Croeser has emerged as a bold force in Africa’s marketing arena. As Vice President of Marketing for AB InBev Africa, he leads the strategy behind some of the continent’s most recognizable beverage brands, including Castle Lager, Budweiser, Corona, and Carling Black Label.

Vaughan is known for innovation-first marketing, blending cultural relevance, technology, and purpose-driven storytelling to push traditional marketing boundaries. At AB InBev, his leadership drives campaigns that connect through local pride, sports passion, and advocacy for social impact causes.

Read more related articles: 8 Marketing Experts in Kenya Leading The Future Of Digital Marketing

4. Doug Place – Chief Marketing Officer, Nando’s.

Doug Place has redefined what it means to be a bold, culturally attuned marketer. As Chief Marketing Officer of Nando’s Southern Africa, he is the creative force behind campaigns that don’t just sell peri-peri chicken, they spark national conversations.

Doug champions Nando’s bold brand voice, using humor and wit to tackle real-time social and political issues fearlessly. From political jabs to social justice themes, his work proves marketing can spark meaningful, uncomfortable, yet highly relevant public dialogue.

5. Nontokozo Madonsela – Group Chief Marketing Officer, Momentum Metropolitan.

Nontokozo Madonsela has been at the forefront of reshaping the company’s brand narrative to reflect relevance, inclusivity, and customer empowerment. She champions purpose-driven marketing, creating campaigns that build brand equity and foster genuine connections with South Africans from all backgrounds.

Nontokozo led a strategic digital shift, embedding data-driven decisions and customer-focused thinking across all core marketing functions. She repositioned Momentum and Metropolitan brands beyond finance, engaging themes like personal growth, generational wealth, and social equity effectively.

6. Firoze Bhorat – Chief Marketing Officer, Discovery Limited.

Firoze Bhorat leads one of South Africa’s most dynamic and purpose-led marketing teams. Known for his strategic clarity and creative thinking, he has been instrumental in aligning Discovery’s brand messaging with its core philosophy: incentivizing healthier living.

Firoze uses behavioral science and data-driven storytelling to simplify and inspire communication of Discovery’s complex, tech-enabled products effectively.

7. Abey Mokgwatsane – Chief Marketing Officer, Investec.

Abey Mokgwatsane is a dynamic marketing leader whose career spans entrepreneurship, executive leadership, and brand strategy at top South African firms. He now leads Investec’s marketing with creativity, commercial insight, and purpose-driven thinking.

Abey’s leadership at Investec has been instrumental in reinforcing the brand’s reputation for excellence, sophistication, and integrity. Through storytelling and impactful campaigns, he ensures Investec’s marketing reflects elite service and its evolving role in shaping a better future.

The South African marketing industry in 2025 is characterized by innovation, cultural resonance, and strategic leadership. These top marketers have not only advanced their respective brands but have also set new standards for excellence in the field. As the industry continues to evolve, their contributions will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of marketing professionals.