Cátia Teixeira, group executive head of human capital at MultiChoice Africa, has carved a unique path in the world of HR – one that’s as dynamic as it is inspiring. With a foundation in economics and an early career in finance at Deloitte Portugal, she never imagined she’d end up leading human capital across an entire continent.
From her early days, one theme stands out for Cátia: adaptability. “HR isn’t just about policies and processes, it’s about people. Helping them grow, supporting them, and building an environment where they can thrive. That’s what keeps me going.”
“However, I ended up in HR unexpectedly, to be honest,” she says with a smile. “Numbers are in my blood, but I discovered a passion for people.”
That unexpected pivot came in 2009, when she relocated to Angola through Deloitte and found herself immersed in payroll and HR consulting. What began as a detour soon became a calling. At 29 she stepped into a payroll administrator role at an oil and gas company. That leap quickly evolved into setting up and leading the entire HR function.
Ironically, her desire to return to the oil and gas sector led a recruiter to submit her CV to MultiChoice. “They saw something else in me,” she says. It marked the beginning of her next chapter.
For seven years in oil and gas, Cátia built teams and systems from the ground up. But as the sector faced turbulence, she made a strategic move to British American Tobacco (BAT), headquartered in Cape Town, while remaining based in Angola. This gave her exposure to southern African markets and collaboration with the South Africa team.
A turning point
“The oil and gas industry was going through a tough time, and I had to make a decision. BAT wasn’t my ideal industry, but it offered valuable experience and its culture was very similar to what I’d later find at MultiChoice.”
Joining MultiChoice in March 2019 marked a turning point. Within her first year, she was promoted to a regional HR role, overseeing operations in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, and beyond. By December 2023, she was appointed group executive head of human capital for Africa.
“It’s been a journey of constant growth. Difficult, yes – but incredibly rewarding.”
Cátia’s move from Portugal to Angola in 2009 brought a steep cultural learning curve. “Even with family ties there, it was a huge shift,” she recalls. “I had to adjust my mindset, align international best practices with local culture, and build bridges within the team.”
She recounts the challenges of building teams from scratch in Angola: “We hired 300 locals at one point with no systems to track attendance. We had to check manually. It was tough, but we adapted. That experience taught me a lot about resourcefulness and teamwork.”
Maintaining a unified company culture across diverse regions is something she considers one of her key strengths. “You can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. What works in Kenya won’t necessarily work in Mozambique. But our core values – care, connect, and create – unite us. And our ‘MultiChoice Way of Working,’ rooted in eight key behaviours, is embedded in every market.”
A culture of giving back
To foster consistency and collaboration, Cátia champions regional projects and leadership exchanges. “They help leaders become more flexible and culturally attuned.”
A highlight in her MultiChoice journey? The launch of the head of department (HoD) programme in November 2024, focused on nurturing internal leadership talent. “It’s in our DNA to grow people from within,” she says proudly. “Many of our leaders have come up through the ranks, and we’re committed to keeping that culture alive.”
“I see people I hired years ago who started with very little now thriving. That’s the greatest reward.”
Leadership development remains a non-negotiable priority, even in tough economic times. “We always budget for it,” she says. “Engaged employees who see a future here are more productive, more committed, and more loyal.”
Wellbeing is another key focus she believes in. “When people feel supported both professionally and personally they’re better able to perform. We don’t have a formal remote work policy, but we embrace flexibility. We trust our people to get the job done, and that trust has had a positive impact on engagement.”
Beyond the workplace, MultiChoice also fosters a culture of giving back. From blood drives to supporting orphanages, Cátia says these initiatives do more than help communities – they uplift employees. “Seeing the impact they have boosts morale and reinforces our culture of care.”
To stay inspired, Cátia also practices daily reflection. “I review what worked and what didn’t. That’s how I continue to grow.”
She also prioritises networking, particularly in Angola’s HR community. “You learn so much by sharing experiences with peers. Sometimes, a simple idea from someone else can unlock a new way of thinking.”
Even with a demanding schedule, she carves out time to stay current on HR trends and technologies. “The HR space is evolving rapidly, and I make it a point to stay informed.”
Outside of work, her most cherished time is with her two-year-old daughter. “Life before kids feels like a different world,” she laughs. “Family time grounds me. Whether it’s watching movies or enjoying a quiet dinner together.”
Travel remains a passion for her, especially when it ties into work. “Visiting different countries and experiencing new cultures keeps me inspired. It broadens my perspective, personally and professionally.”
She also prioritises fitness, running five kilometres every few days. “It’s not easy to get back into a routine after motherhood, but it clears my mind and gives me energy.”
When asked what advice she’d give her younger self, she reflects for a moment and smiles. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Every decision led me here, and I’m proud of the journey.”
