A Sowetan is a CEO of a global company

Thusang Mahlangu.

Thusang Mahlangu at his graduation.

Thusang Mahlangu achieved his vision of becoming CEO at 40 when he was appointed Africa CEO for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) early this year. Born and bred in Pimville Zone 7, Soweto, he joined the corporate insurer in 2013 as Head of Market Management to develop sales and distribution across Africa. He subsequently became Head of Property in 2014.

Thusang attributes his achievement to hard work, commitment and perseverance. “I had a vision to become CEO at 40 and worked hard to ensure I realize it. I hope that my accomplishment will inspire young people from Soweto and South Africa to realize their dreams.

“I am very grateful to AGCS for giving me this opportunity and to my mentors for their guidance and insight. It is an enormous task, but I have a strong team, which was built by my predecessor Delphine Traoré Maïdou. I am very confident that together, we will achieve our vision of becoming a leading corporate insurer on the continent,” he said.

Thusang has over 20 years of experience in insurance and risk management. He acquired insurance qualifications through the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA). After this, he obtained a management qualification from University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. His most recent qualification is an MBA from Milpark Business School. With regards to leadership and governance, he has served as pension fund trustee for a large insurance company and as a member of City of Johannesburg Group Risk Management Committee.

In his formative years, Thusang attended Hlalefang Lower Primary and Nkholi Higher Primary in Pimville. From a less privileged background, he was awarded a scholarship to St. Alban's College where he matriculated in 1994. While at the school, he played first team rugby, which took part in the school’s first international tour to the UK. This experience inspired him to establish Wits University’s Masakhane inter-faculty rugby team.

He lives by the following mottos: ‘What is done today is ready for tomorrow’ and ‘Be the best you can be, and always strive to be number 1’. Thusang lives in Glenvista with his wife Mmathabo and their two children.