Telkom Group has confirmed the appointment of Beauty Apleni as the new Chief Executive Officer of Openserve, its wholesale infrastructure connectivity arm. With her tenure beginning on 1 July 2025, Apleni will be responsible for advancing the reach and impact of Openserve’s fibre network, aligning with Telkom’s data-driven strategy.
Bringing more than 25 years of experience in the ICT sector, Apleni has spent 15 years in senior leadership roles. Her executive background includes shaping strategy, ensuring operational excellence, and driving execution. Over the course of her career at Telkom Group, she has held several pivotal roles, including Chief of Sales and Technology at Telkom Consumer, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Telkom Consumer, and various leadership positions at Cybernest, including Executive Service Delivery & Solution Design and Executive IT Outsource Services. Most recently, she served as Chief of Staff, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions at Telkom Group.
Apleni holds a BSc in Computer Science from Nelson Mandela University and has completed further studies in leadership, strategy, and management.
Serame Taukobong, CEO of Telkom Group, said Apleni’s promotion reflects the organisation’s long-term focus on internal talent development and succession planning. “Beauty’s experience and strong knowledge of our businesses, M&A and ICT industry place her in an excellent position to lead the growth and sustainability of Openserve going forward. I have no doubt she will make a valuable contribution to sustaining the wave of momentum, driving the Group forward in a complex operating environment,” he said.
Speaking about her appointment, Apleni said: “Having dedicated over two decades to Telkom, I’m deeply committed to our mission of connecting all South Africans to a better future. I am grateful to the Telkom board for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to working with the group executive committee, the talented team at Openserve and collaborating with rest of the OneTelkom family.”
The company also thanked Selby Khuzwayo for his leadership as Acting CEO since December 2024.
