It’s official, South African executive Rochelle Knock has been appointed as Vice President of Disney+ and Country Head for Sub-Saharan Africa, a move that firmly positions her among the continent’s most dynamic media and tech leaders.
Her appointment signals a leadership transition and a broader commitment by The Walt Disney Company to the African market, one that is ripe for innovation, local storytelling, and global expansion.
From Science to Streaming: A Career Defined by Curiosity and Growth. Rochelle Knock’s career began far from the lights of Hollywood. After earning a BSc and Honours in Genetics and Statistics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2004, she started out as a Research Scientist at South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Her analytical mind soon found a new home in business strategy. By 2012, she was working as an Analyst and Senior Consultant at The Cyest Corporation, before joining Vodacom, where she rose through the ranks from Senior Specialist to Executive Head of Contract Customer Value Management.
Knock later joined MultiChoice Group, taking on senior roles in retention, base management, and customer value, leading strategies that bridged product, data, and consumer experience. Most recently, she served as Head of Customer Value Management at fintech disruptor Yoco, where her work focused on customer retention and growth in emerging digital ecosystems.
Now, Disney has come knocking. As Vice President of Disney+ and Networks, Knock will oversee all of Disney’s operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, including its streaming service and linear television channels. Her mandate: to grow Disney+’s subscriber base and ensure that the brand’s stories resonate deeply with African audiences, not only as global content consumers but as co-authors in the storytelling universe.
In her own words, Knock says she is “honoured and excited to be leading the Disney team in Africa,” adding that she looks forward to “helping further deliver Disney’s beloved brands and stories across the continent.”
Rochelle Knock’s appointment represents a defining moment for representation and strategic leadership in African media. Her journey from research science to entertainment tech reflects a generation of African women who move seamlessly between data, creativity, and leadership.
