Kgomotso Mannya is the Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Africa. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in leading brand and commercial strategy across beauty, technology and consumer goods. Her career trajectory reflects more than progression. It demonstrates the intentional application of African marketing leadership strategy in complex and evolving markets.
She rose from marketing coordinator to one of the continent’s most respected marketing leaders. Along the way, she developed a reputation for sharp strategic thinking, strong commercial instinct and purposeful storytelling. These qualities continue to define her leadership approach and reinforce her influence in shaping modern brand narratives.
Appointed CMO in July 2025, Kgomotso previously served as Head of Marketing for Samsung’s Mobile Experience division. In that role, she oversaw strategy across smartphones, tablets and wearables. She led flagship launches and high-impact campaigns that strengthened Samsung’s market position. More importantly, she embedded an African marketing leadership strategy into how innovation and accessibility were communicated to diverse consumer segments.
Building brands across industries and markets
Before joining Samsung, Kgomotso spent 11 years at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. She held senior brand roles across Clinique, Smashbox and Glamglow. As Brand General Manager, she drove brand development and market expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa. She also shaped long-term growth strategies that aligned global brand equity with local market realities.
Earlier in her career, she served as Business Development Manager. In that role, she played a key part in launching MAC Cosmetics into new markets. She combined deep regional insight with a performance-driven marketing approach. As a result, she delivered measurable commercial outcomes while strengthening brand presence.
Her experience spans trade marketing, category leadership, media strategy and stakeholder engagement. However, her differentiator lies in how she integrates these disciplines. She consistently applies an African marketing leadership strategy to balance global brand consistency with local relevance.
Leadership, impact and industry influence
Kgomotso remains deeply committed to consumer-first innovation. She prioritises inclusive leadership and builds high-performing teams that deliver measurable business impact. In addition, she approaches leadership as both a strategic and developmental responsibility.
As a mentor and strategist, she actively contributes to shaping the future of marketing in Africa. She brings authenticity and a forward-looking perspective to every engagement. Her leadership reflects a clear understanding that brand growth depends on both market insight and organisational capability.
Her skill set includes strategic communications, negotiation, integrated marketing and pan-African stakeholder management. These capabilities position her as a leader who not only executes strategy but also influences how strategy evolves within the African context.
Championing the next generation
Kgomotso is also a strong advocate for women in leadership. She invests time in mentoring emerging marketing professionals. Through this, she contributes to building a more inclusive and representative industry.
She brings her full experience and authenticity to the evolving African consumer landscape. At the same time, she remains deeply committed to shaping that landscape. Her work continues to demonstrate that effective leadership is not only about brand growth. It is also about creating pathways for others to lead.
