14 February 2024
Showmax appoints Emma Gichonge as General Manager in East Africa
With its customers across 44 African markets now moving onto a powerful new streaming platform, Showmax is pleased to announce the appointment of talented Kenyan tech and product executive Emma Gichonge as its first ever General Manager: Operations for East Africa.
“Driven by a strong partnership between the MultiChoice Group and Comcast NBC Universal, Showmax is embarking on a new era with a game-changing Premier League in your pocket plan, alongside a slate of sensational African and international content,” says Showmax Chief Operating Officer Joe Heshu. “With our ambition to be Africa’s No 1 streamer, we’re very happy to welcome Emma, whose wealth of experience will serve our customers in the key East African market.”
![Emma Gichonge General Manager in Showmax East Africa](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2024/02/Emma-Gichonge_General-Manager-East_Africa-1027x698.jpg)
A highly qualified leader, Gichonge’s reputation for building high-performance teams was honed working across multiple industries and countries. This includes time at start-up tech company Yutap, where she led the implementation of mobile money solutions across Africa and Asia. She also led the migration of the legacy M-Pesa mobile money platform at Safaricom, pioneering an Enterprise Project Management Office within the company. Mostly recently, she was Managing Director at MultiChoice Malawi, responsible for several commercial initiatives in the country.
Speaking on her new role, Gichonge says, “Showmax is a bold business, and is in an exciting stage in its story – moving onto the globally scaled Peacock platform, increasing its loved local content slate and introducing affordable new plans. With my passion for innovation, and for East Africa, I’m looking forward to building the business with the Kenyan Showmax team. We’re already hard at work with our partners Safaricom to re-integrate in-app M-Pesa payments with our new technology. Currently customers can pay using M-Pesa USSD (*375#) but full M-Pesa options will launch soon.”
Gichonge holds a Masters degree (IT Management) and a Bachelor of Science degree (Information Technology).
Highlights on Showmax includes a new season of female-focused Kenyan series Single Kiasi premiering on 5 March and the drama-loaded Second Family with its high stakes succession battles. Meanwhile the Showmax Premier League plan for mobile is already bringing the best of the world’s biggest league to East African fans as current leaders Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal chase 2023/2024 title glory.
Original African stories by local talent
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Die Ondernemers
Die Ondernemers follows three entrepreneurs in the funeral business. Stream from 5 August, with new episodes every Monday on Showmax.
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Dark Side of Glory
Dark Side of Glory tells the stories behind shocking cases of murder and unexplained deaths in the world of sport. Stream from 31 July 2024.
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One Weeks
One Weeks follows Fana, a charming high-school dropout from Soweto, who can’t believe his luck when he finds himself dating successful lawyer Lihle. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
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The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice
The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice is a brand-new Showmax Original reality series, following affluent moms in Durban’s Indian community. Watch from 8 August 2024.
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Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap
Meet Cape Town’s most charismatic drag queens in this eye-opening reality series. Now streaming, with new episodes every Thursday.
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016FM
016FM follows rival DJs at a beloved Vaal radio station threatened with closure, starring the late Mpho Sebeng, and Joseph Sedibo. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
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Jiji
Jiji follows the lives of four girls in the streets of Jericho, forced into a life of crime to make ends meet. Stream now, with new episodes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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Born Into Fame
Born Into Fame follows six South Africans with famous parents, as they try to live up to their family legacies while discovering their own unique paths to success. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Die Ondernemers, coming soon
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice: Meet the moms
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Empini Season 1 Episodes 19-20 recap: Shocking revelations and hidden agendas
In episodes 19-20 of Empini, Ndoni finally confides in her mother and the future of MPS’s leadership is in question as Khaya’s will is read. New episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
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Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1 Episode 2 recap: Putting on a show
Ina and Madison go skating, the queens discuss how they came out as drag artists, and Manila puts on an epic show in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 1, episode 2.
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Born into Fame S1: Shamiso confronts sincerity doubts and sets boundaries
In episode 6 of Born Into Fame S1, Shamiso confronts sincerity and sets her boundaries with Robbie. New episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.
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Must-watch trailer: Showmax reality series Die Ondernemers
See the trailer for Die Ondernemers, a Showmax reality series featuring three South African undertakers, premiering 5 August 2024.