The New Wave of Connectivity: Beauty Apleni Takes the Helm at Openserve
June 12, 2025, 10:35 am
Location: South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg
Employees: 10001+
Founded date: 1994
Total raised: $114.25M
In the fast-paced world of telecommunications, change is the only constant. On July 1, 2025, Beauty Apleni stepped into the spotlight as the new CEO of Openserve, a subsidiary of Telkom Group. This move signals a new chapter for the company and the industry at large. Apleni’s journey from IT intern to CEO is a testament to her resilience and vision.
Apleni replaces Althon Beukes, who led Openserve for a significant period. Beukes’ departure marks the end of an era, but Apleni’s arrival brings fresh energy. She has been with Telkom since 2000, navigating various roles and challenges. Her experience is a treasure trove of insights.
The telecommunications landscape in South Africa is a battleground. Companies like Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom are locked in a fierce competition for supremacy. In the past year, these giants collectively spent R27 billion on network infrastructure. Vodacom led the charge with R11.5 billion, followed closely by MTN at R9.8 billion, while Telkom trailed with R5.8 billion.
Apleni’s vision for Openserve is clear. She aims to expand the business and meet the growing demand for connectivity. South Africa is a land of opportunity, with only 6.8 million of its 18 million homes connected to fibre. The potential for growth is immense. Apleni sees fibre and mobile as partners, not rivals. As mobile networks expand, fibre must follow suit.
Her strategy is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding the market. Apleni recognizes that mobile operators have mastered scaling their services. Fibre operators, however, have lagged behind. This is the challenge she embraces.
Openserve’s growth is intricately linked to Telkom Mobile. The two divisions now work in harmony. Fixed-wireless services serve as a testing ground for new areas. When data consumption reaches a tipping point, it signals the right time for fibre rollout. This synergy is crucial for capturing market share.
Apleni’s past roles have equipped her with a unique perspective. She has led strategy development and managed critical projects, including the 2022 spectrum auction. Her experience in the Cybernest data center business adds another layer of expertise.
But the road ahead is not without obstacles. Rural areas pose a challenge for fibre expansion. In some regions, the business case for fibre may never materialize. Yet, Apleni believes that with the right approach, fibre can reach 85% of the population. This ambition is bold, but it reflects her commitment to bridging the digital divide.
As Apleni takes the reins, the competitive landscape remains fierce. Vodacom and MTN are not standing still. They are investing heavily in their networks, striving for dominance. Vodacom’s steady capex growth over the past 15 years is a testament to its strategy. MTN’s fluctuating investments reveal its attempts to catch up.
Telkom’s approach is different. It employs a “smart capex” strategy, focusing on efficiency. This allows Telkom to compete without matching the spending of its larger rivals. Apleni’s leadership will be pivotal in executing this strategy effectively.
The telecommunications sector is also grappling with external pressures. Load shedding has forced operators to invest in network resilience. Batteries and generators have become essential to keep towers operational. This added cost burden weighs heavily on all players.
MTN’s recent decision to reduce capital spending reflects the shifting landscape. After years of heavy investment, the company is recalibrating its focus. Meanwhile, Vodacom is redirecting funds into expanding its 5G network. The energy crisis has created a complex environment for growth.
Apleni’s leadership will be tested in this dynamic context. She must navigate the challenges of infrastructure investment while seizing opportunities for expansion. The demand for connectivity is undeniable. The question is whether Openserve can rise to the occasion.
In conclusion, Beauty Apleni’s appointment as CEO of Openserve marks a pivotal moment in South Africa’s telecommunications landscape. Her vision for growth, coupled with her extensive experience, positions her to lead the company into a new era. The competition is fierce, but the potential for success is vast. As the industry evolves, Apleni’s leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of connectivity in South Africa. The road ahead is challenging, but with the right strategy, Openserve can thrive in this digital age.
Apleni replaces Althon Beukes, who led Openserve for a significant period. Beukes’ departure marks the end of an era, but Apleni’s arrival brings fresh energy. She has been with Telkom since 2000, navigating various roles and challenges. Her experience is a treasure trove of insights.
The telecommunications landscape in South Africa is a battleground. Companies like Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom are locked in a fierce competition for supremacy. In the past year, these giants collectively spent R27 billion on network infrastructure. Vodacom led the charge with R11.5 billion, followed closely by MTN at R9.8 billion, while Telkom trailed with R5.8 billion.
Apleni’s vision for Openserve is clear. She aims to expand the business and meet the growing demand for connectivity. South Africa is a land of opportunity, with only 6.8 million of its 18 million homes connected to fibre. The potential for growth is immense. Apleni sees fibre and mobile as partners, not rivals. As mobile networks expand, fibre must follow suit.
Her strategy is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding the market. Apleni recognizes that mobile operators have mastered scaling their services. Fibre operators, however, have lagged behind. This is the challenge she embraces.
Openserve’s growth is intricately linked to Telkom Mobile. The two divisions now work in harmony. Fixed-wireless services serve as a testing ground for new areas. When data consumption reaches a tipping point, it signals the right time for fibre rollout. This synergy is crucial for capturing market share.
Apleni’s past roles have equipped her with a unique perspective. She has led strategy development and managed critical projects, including the 2022 spectrum auction. Her experience in the Cybernest data center business adds another layer of expertise.
But the road ahead is not without obstacles. Rural areas pose a challenge for fibre expansion. In some regions, the business case for fibre may never materialize. Yet, Apleni believes that with the right approach, fibre can reach 85% of the population. This ambition is bold, but it reflects her commitment to bridging the digital divide.
As Apleni takes the reins, the competitive landscape remains fierce. Vodacom and MTN are not standing still. They are investing heavily in their networks, striving for dominance. Vodacom’s steady capex growth over the past 15 years is a testament to its strategy. MTN’s fluctuating investments reveal its attempts to catch up.
Telkom’s approach is different. It employs a “smart capex” strategy, focusing on efficiency. This allows Telkom to compete without matching the spending of its larger rivals. Apleni’s leadership will be pivotal in executing this strategy effectively.
The telecommunications sector is also grappling with external pressures. Load shedding has forced operators to invest in network resilience. Batteries and generators have become essential to keep towers operational. This added cost burden weighs heavily on all players.
MTN’s recent decision to reduce capital spending reflects the shifting landscape. After years of heavy investment, the company is recalibrating its focus. Meanwhile, Vodacom is redirecting funds into expanding its 5G network. The energy crisis has created a complex environment for growth.
Apleni’s leadership will be tested in this dynamic context. She must navigate the challenges of infrastructure investment while seizing opportunities for expansion. The demand for connectivity is undeniable. The question is whether Openserve can rise to the occasion.
In conclusion, Beauty Apleni’s appointment as CEO of Openserve marks a pivotal moment in South Africa’s telecommunications landscape. Her vision for growth, coupled with her extensive experience, positions her to lead the company into a new era. The competition is fierce, but the potential for success is vast. As the industry evolves, Apleni’s leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of connectivity in South Africa. The road ahead is challenging, but with the right strategy, Openserve can thrive in this digital age.