Who in South Africa has what it takes to be appointed as the next country director of international giant tech company, Google? That is the question on everyone’s mind after its former country director, Alistair Mokoena—who held the position since April 2020—stepped down earlier this month.
Alistair Mokoena worked at Ogilvy South Africa as CEO before joining Google. He has a notable academic background with an LLB from Rhodes University, an MBA from MANCOSA, and a PhD from North West University School of Business. His tenure at Google saw him succeed Luke McKend, who left the role in 2018 to head LinkedIn for Africa. McKend had been Google’s country manager since October 2010, following Stephen Newton and Stafford Masie.
What It Takes to Lead Google South Africa
Google’s search for a new leader is comprehensive, with stringent qualifications for candidates. The role demands substantial experience in sales and commercial leadership, particularly within the digital and online sectors. Key qualifications include:
- Sales and Commercial Leadership: Proven experience in these areas, with a focus on digital and online experience.
- Mentorship and Team Management: The ability to coach and lead a team effectively.
- Networking and Collaboration: Experience working with top executives, political leaders, NGOs, and regulatory bodies.
- Leadership Experience: Prior experience as a Country Manager or leading a business unit in the region.
Reporting to Alex Okosi, Managing Director for Africa, the new Country Director will be a crucial member of the SSA Management Group, contributing to the strategic and business development initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges
The incoming Country Director will also face significant regulatory challenges. The South African Competition Commission’s recent findings highlighted Google’s dominance in the search market, controlling over 90% of all general searches. This has led to a series of mandated corrective measures aimed at leveling the playing field for smaller local platforms. These measures include providing substantial advertising credits and training support for smaller South African platforms and SMEs, as well as changes to search result rankings and advertising practices.
