As South Africa continues to reflect on the significance of Women’s Month, it feels particularly fitting to celebrate the appointment of a woman whose career embodies leadership, transformation, and social impact. The South African Breweries (SAB) has announced Sarah Mthintso as the new Executive Director of the SAB Foundation, ushering in a new chapter for the organisation at a milestone moment in its history.
Sarah steps into this role with more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of social impact, transformation, and public policy. Her professional journey began in the NGO sector, before expanding into leadership positions in government and corporate South Africa. Through it all, she has remained steadfastly committed to inclusive development and the empowerment of marginalised communities.
Her track record is as impressive as it is inspiring. At Telkom, Sarah was instrumental in repositioning the Telkom Foundation to embrace a shared value approach, aligning social outcomes with commercial objectives. She designed and led programmes that bridged digital divides, advanced inclusion, and created pathways to economic participation. At Old Mutual, she championed integrated strategies across social impact, financial inclusion, public policy, and transformation, mobilising resources and partnerships to expand opportunity for underserved communities. Most recently, as Head of Public Affairs at Vodacom South Africa, she spearheaded strategic stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy, with a sharp focus on digital inclusion and equitable growth.
Now, at the helm of the SAB Foundation, Sarah is poised to build on the organisation’s strong legacy. Speaking on her appointment, SAB Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Zoleka Lisa, noted: “Her deep expertise, values-driven leadership and passion for meaningful impact make her the ideal person to lead the Foundation into its next chapter. As we mark SAB’s 130th year, this milestone is not only about celebrating our history, but about building a future defined by purpose and progress.”
For Sarah, the role is both a privilege and a calling. “I am deeply honoured to carry forward the incredible work that has already been done, and to help shape a future where impact is both sustainable and scalable,” she said. “The Foundation has demonstrated how businesses can be powerful enablers of change, and I look forward to working alongside our partners to unlock opportunity, drive inclusion, and improve the lives of South Africans in tangible, lasting ways.”
As Women’s Month reminds us of the power of women’s leadership, Sarah’s appointment is a timely example of how values-driven leadership can shape a more inclusive future. Her journey reinforces the message that when women lead, communities thrive.
