MTN South Africa has appointed Pushkar Gokhale, a seasoned executive from Openserve, as its new chief wholesale officer. Gokhale, currently serving as chief digital and strategy officer at Openserve, will assume his new position at MTN in August 2025.
His appointment comes at a crucial time as MTN aims to solidify its position as the leading wholesale network provider in South Africa’s increasingly competitive telecom market.
In a statement on Tuesday, MTN emphasised that Gokhale’s role will be pivotal in making MTN the “network of choice for the wholesale market.” As a key player in the telecom industry, MTN is focusing on expanding its connectivity platforms and digital infrastructure beyond 2025, and Gokhale’s expertise is expected to play a central role in this transformation.
MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi expressed confidence in Gokhale’s leadership, stating, “Pushkar’s leadership will be critical as we position ourselves for sustained growth in connectivity and digital infrastructure in the years ahead.”
With a career spanning multiple global markets, including the United States, Australia, India, and various African countries, Gokhale brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insights to MTN.
His professional background includes leadership roles in digital transformation, strategy development, and wholesale business growth, making him a valuable asset to MTN’s executive team.
Academically, Gokhale holds an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science and a master’s degree in information systems from La Trobe University in Australia. He is also currently pursuing a chief digital officer program at the prestigious Kellogg School of Management, further enhancing his credentials in the digital economy.
Gokhale will be taking over from Quintus De Beer, the outgoing chief wholesale officer at MTN, who has been appointed to an executive role overseeing IT transformation. De Beer’s transition marks a shift in MTN’s strategic focus as the company continues to adapt to technological advancements and changing market dynamics.
Gokhale’s exit from Openserve is the latest in a string of executive resignations that have impacted the company in recent months. In December 2024, Openserve CEO Althon Beukes stepped down to “seek new career challenges.”
Shortly afterward, in January 2025, Openserve’s former chief commercial officer, Phila Dube, joined fibre operator Maziv in a similar capacity, signalling increased competition in South Africa’s fibre and telecom sectors.
Gokhale’s move to MTN underscores a broader trend of leadership shifts within South Africa’s telecommunications landscape. With MTN looking to strengthen its wholesale division, competitors like Openserve will need to navigate these leadership changes while maintaining their market position.
As Gokhale takes the reins in August, industry stakeholders will be closely watching how he steers MTN’s wholesale business in an era of rapid digital transformation and growing connectivity demands.
His expertise and leadership will likely play a crucial role in shaping MTN’s future in the wholesale telecom space.
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