Govender's priority will be to drive impact for the company's clients by helping them win in a platform world.

According to the brand, Govender is one of the most accomplished and inspiring leaders in the region. Her career started at the Multichoice Group where she spent 22 years, she then moved to VWV group where she was the first female CEO.

Currently, she is the CEO of Dentsu South Africa and is responsible for Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as specialist divisions and scaled services. 

She will be based in Johannesburg and will be reporting to Loris Nold, CEO of APAC, Middle East and Africa. Govender will be responsible for all the operations of Publicis Groupe in South Africa and across the continent. This includes:
  • creative
  • media
  • PR and influencer
  • production
  • commerce
  • data, and
  • technology.

The brand adds that Govender is an accomplished executive and exceptionally well-rounded leader with strong experience in people leadership, client management and business operations in both start-up and growth organisations.

In addition to this, she is passionate about DEI and building high-performance, diverse teams that nurture and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

Her passion for women empowerment, mentorship and community upliftment was fulfilled by developing and launching the Mnet Cares brand focusing on breast cancer and literacy, as well as the Phakama Women's Academy, which is targeted at Marketing university students. This is to equip and empower them for the corporate world.

Currently, 150 students have graduated through the Phakama Women's academy thus far.

Govender sits on selected Industry, NGO and Business boards as well as sat on the judging panel for:
  • the Cannes Lions Festival 2017
  • Loeries 2017, 2019 and 2022
  • the AdFocus Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 
  • Effie Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022, and
  • Promax India, Asia, Australia and Africa Awards. 

Govender also is a counsellor for the MAC Charter in South Africa and was a judge for Miss SA 2022 top 30.

Nold says, "I couldn't be more thrilled with Govender joining us. I have known her for more than a decade and she is truly an exceptional leader and a great person. I have been lucky to be involved in Africa for more than 15 years and I am convinced that Govender is exactly the progressive leader we need to take on such a strategically critical region for our clients and our talents."

"Govender brings a passion for Africa and its talents as well as proven product expertise across creativity, performance, e-commerce, data, content and technology. She adds true leadership and a great understanding of what clients want and need," adds Nold.

"In the past few years, we have accelerated the development of our footprint, scale, capabilities and talents across Africa. But our ambition on the continent is bigger given the unique markets' dynamics, the great potential for our own client's business and the inspiration Africa needs to bring to the rest of Publicis Groupe," says Nold.

Nold adds, "I am also very pleased that John Dixon, my partner of many years will stay on as chairperson to not only ensure a smooth handover to Govender but also so that Govender and I will be able to continue to count on his vast experience across the continent." 

Govender adds, "I am really excited to join the Publicis Groupe and continue to build the accomplishments of the team. Together with the leadership and management team, my vision is to empower and grow our people and deliver an employee-first experience, strengthen our capabilities and provide exceptional service and solutions to clients."

"I am really looking forward to working and learning from amazing and inspiring people locally and internationally," says Govender.

John Dixon, CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa, adds, "I couldn't think of a better leader than Govender to take us to the next chapter across the continent. I have known and respected her as a competitor for many years and we are extremely lucky that she's agreed to join us and take on my current role."

"She will be inheriting one of the very best leadership teams in the business and I'm sure she will build on the success that they have achieved together over the last few years. I feel privileged to remain involved with both the people and the business that I have been so close to and I look forward to helping Govender and Publicis Groupe succeed for many more years," concludes Dixon.

For more information, visit www.publicisgroupe.com. You can also follow Publicis Media on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.