Matimba Mbungela has been nominated for the 2026 CHRO Awards for his role as CHRO at Vodacom Group.
He joins a cohort of HR leaders competing across nine award categories, including the headline CHRO of the Year title.
Before becoming CHRO, Matimba served as managing executive for HR at Vodacom South Africa.
His experience also includes HR leadership roles at Vodafone, where he worked as regional head of organisation effectiveness and change and head of talent for the Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific region.
Earlier in his career at Vodacom, he held the positions of group executive for learning and development, managing executive for HR, and executive head for HR.
Prior to joining Vodacom, Matimba was HR operations manager at BMW South Africa. He also held roles at Unilever, serving as HR manager and senior HR officer.
Matimba began his career as an HR officer at Mondi Cartonboard.
Dubbed the “Oscars of HR”, the CHRO Awards continues to celebrate leaders who raise the bar for people leadership in South Africa across listed companies, large corporates and government institutions.
The 2026 nominees will be celebrated at a gala event on 24 November, where winners across multiple categories, including the CHRO of the Year title, will be announced.
