Media24 appoints new chairwoman

Professor Rachel Jafta has been appointed as chairwoman of the Media24 board, it was reported on Thursday.

Jafta succeeds Professor Jakes Gerwel, who died in November, Beeld reported.

"Rachel is the first woman and the first black woman to chair Media24. A wonderful achievement. We have great respect for her and are convinced she is the right person for the job. I wish her the best of luck with the challenges of this new role," said Naspers board chairman Ton Vosloo.

Jafta is a professor of economics at the University of Stellenbosch and holds a BEcon (Hons) degree from the University of the Western Cape.

She became a board member of Media24 in 2007.

She is also a member of the SA Economic Society, a board member of Econex, chairwoman of the Cape Town Carnival Trust and a director of the SA Institute of Race Relations.

Jafta reportedly said: "It is an honour for me to follow in the footsteps of Professor Jakes Gerwel, and exciting to join the leadership team at a time when rapidly changing trends with respect to technology and consumer preferences and regulations challenge us to identify new opportunities."