Yolisa Phahle

EARLY LIFE

Yolisa Phahle is a classical musician by training, who has recorded and performed with high-profile artists such as Soul II Soul and Duran Duran. Her broadcast career began in news at the BBC World Service, and she later worked in production for BBC 1 and 2, Radio 1, and 6 Music.

CAREER

Yolisa Phahle is a media executive with over 30 years’ experience in the traditional and digital industry in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2013 and 2023, she held several CEO positions with the MultiChoice Group, Africa’s leading video entertainment company. She was instrumental in driving the group’s local programming strategy, raising the profile of African storytelling, and overseeing Emmy-nominated and award-winning commissioning, as well as co-productions with BBC Studios, Freemantle International, and Cinemax. From 2020 to 2023, she served as CEO for Showmax, MultiChoice's subscriber video on demand business. Currently, Yolisa is the chief executive officer for Connected Video and General Entertainment for the MultiChoice Group, leading their content strategy across 50 African countries. She is also a trustee for the MultiChoice Group’s Enterprise Development Trust, a non-executive board member for Aberdeen Performing Arts, and a member of Ofcom’s Content Board. She serves as an independent non-executive director of the Phuthuma Nathi board, which holds a 25% stake in the South African operations of the MultiChoice Group.

PERSONAL LIFE

Yolisa Phahle holds an MBA from GIBS Business School. After spending 19 years working in Sub-Saharan Africa and Dubai, she now resides in London with her husband and grown-up sons. She is a lifelong supporter of the performing arts.