KFC appoints first black feminine as Africa’s new General Manager

KFC appoints first black feminine as Africa’s new General Manager

NAIROBI – Akhona Qengqe has been appointed as Kentucky Fried Chicken [KFC ], she is the very first black feminine General Manager for Africa efficient from April 1st, this yr.

She will change outgoing GM – Dhruv Kaul, who’s transferring right into a GM position for KFC Pan Europe.

Akhona’s expertise spans a number of industries such as petroleum, property, advertising, operations and comfort retail. She has additionally served because the Chairperson of the Board of the Franchise Association of South Africa.

Akhona is not any stranger to KFC in Africa having started out with the enterprise in 2015 as Development Director, after which she was promoted to steer the manufacturer’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (EI&B) agenda, earlier than being promoted to Chief People Officer (CPO) for KFC Africa in 2020 and extra not too long ago, appointed to Chief Development Officer.

“Akhona has spent the better part of her eight years at KFC as an intrinsic part of the KFC leadership team in Africa and has worked closely with Dhruv and the team to ensure the sustainability of the business but also, the growth of local female talent. In fact, she has been instrumental in the team achieving diverse talent, with the Africa Senior leadership population now transformed at 50% women,” says Sabir Sami, KFC Global Chief Executive Officer.

Not solely has she moved up the KFC ranks with grace and rigour however, in partnership with the Leadership group, she has helped the KFC enterprise navigate a disruptive pandemic which impacted not solely enterprise but additionally employees from a wellness and office perspective – a job she managed with humility, empathy and effectivity. More than this, Akhona has been central to the enterprise’s improvement programmes – enabling a heart-led, high-performing humans way of life. Further to this, Akhona has been a spearhead for the KFC Add Hope programme and an advocate for creating entry to nutritious meals, for these much less lucky – aiding the group in mobilising and driving this crucial pillar of function for the enterprise.

“Akhona has been central to the development and success of KFC Africa’s equality programmes, taking them to new heights both on the local front as well as from a global perspective,” continues Sami.

As a fierce advocate for gender parity and feminine empowerment, Akhona conceptualised and launched KFC Africa’s Women on the Move programme, which was created in 2021 as a transformative 12-month programme to equip ladies with instruments and sources which will assist them leverage their innate management qualities and gasoline consequences throughout the KFC enterprise domestically.

“This role really is a dream come true, and though I didn’t always know where my career would lead, getting here has been an incredible journey of learning, self-discovery and building many friendships along the way. Having grown up in the small rural town of Umtata in the Eastern Cape and being exposed to the many challenges that most women in our country face, being able to fill this role and represent others that look like me, is what gives this real meaning and purpose for me,” suggested Qengqe.

She added that “I believe in Africa, I believe in its people and the incredible untapped potential that still exists. As a business, we have shown tremendous growth, momentum and acceleration through very challenging times in the past few years but because of the people we have in our business and our ongoing commitment to a hihigh-performanceheartled culture, we have shown that the impossible is in fact possible. I cannot wait to see what we can collectively achieve.”