Celebrating 2024’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa: Charmaine Mabuza
Charmaine Mabuza is a pioneering businesswoman and a prominent trailblazer in the South African gaming industry. As the Founding Member and Group CEO of Zamani Holdings and the CEO of Ithuba Holdings, she stands out in the field, being the first black female to manage a lottery operation in South Africa.
Mrs. Charmaine Mabuza has been a driving force behind the establishment and success of Ithuba since its inception in 2015. Under her leadership, the company has aligned itself with international best practices and adopted cutting-edge technology, successfully transitioning the National Lottery into the digital era. This innovation has allowed South Africans to engage with the lottery through online platforms and mobile applications, significantly enhancing accessibility, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspired by her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit and her experience managing multiple small businesses in KwaZulu Natal, Charmaine believes in the power of education and lifelong learning. She is currently furthering her studies at Harvard Business School, setting an example for aspiring leaders who value continuous personal and professional development.
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Charmaine is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At Ithuba, 60% of executive positions are held by women, significantly higher than the industry average of 20%. Her dedication to transformation emphasizes that gender and racial diversity are essential for sustainable business growth. She has brokered several major business transactions, further demonstrating her strategic acumen and leadership in driving impactful initiatives.
In addition to her corporate roles, she serves as the Deputy Chair for the Mpumalanga Provincial University Council, was the Managing Director of Empilweni Payout Services (Pty) Ltd, and has held various positions on public and private sector boards as a Chairperson and Director. Charmaine’s philanthropic efforts have garnered her several prestigious awards, including the Vision 2030 Top Woman in Education Award and the Forbes Africa Social Impact Award, which she received in March 2020 for her remarkable contributions to empowering disadvantaged communities.
Mrs. Mabuza takes pride in Ithuba’s commitment to socio-economic development, as the company allocates a portion of ticket sales to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for supporting good causes across South Africa. Her focus on community empowerment is further reflected in initiatives like the ITHUBA Supplier and Enterprise Funding Programme, which provided financial assistance to black-owned businesses amid the pandemic.
2024 Most Influential Women in Gaming, Africa as Brought to you by iGaming AFRIKA in partnership with Women in Gaming, The African Chapter
