Rochelle Knock takes the helm of Disney operations in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Walt Disney Company has appointed Rochelle Knock as Vice President, Disney+ & Networks and Country Head for Sub-Saharan Africa. With a track record at Yoco, MultiChoice, and Vodacom, Knock is expected to drive Disney’s digital growth and deepen its storytelling reach across the continent.

By Nhlanhla Muthe

Rochelle Knock, newly appointed Vice President, Disney+ & Networks and Country Head for Sub-Saharan Africa, will lead the mass media and entertainment conglomerate’s growth strategy and digital expansion across the continent.

The Walt Disney Company has appointed Rochelle Knock as Vice President, Disney+ & Networks and Country Head, Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen the entertainment giant’s presence and growth ambitions across the continent.

Knock, who officially joins Disney in December, brings over 15 years of leadership experience in media, telecommunications, and digital payments, having previously held key roles at MultiChoice, Vodacom, and most recently Yoco Technologies, where she led customer value and product growth strategies.

Simon Amselem, Senior Vice President for Direct-to-Consumer & Networks, EMEA, underlined that her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Disney, which has been active in Africa for more than six decades, with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town serving audiences in over 40 Sub-Saharan countries.

Through its diverse portfolio, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, 20th Century Studios, and ESPN, the company continues to expand its storytelling footprint, with Disney+ now available in South Africa.

“Rochelle’s appointment to lead the Disney business and team in Sub-Saharan Africa is an important milestone in our 60+ years on the continent. Her deep understanding of the industry landscape and expertise in customer value and product management complements our ambitious plans to drive growth and reach new audiences,” he said.

As Country Head, Knock will oversee Disney’s overall business strategy in the region, spearhead Disney+ and linear network operations, and foster partnerships to deepen the company’s reach and relevance across African markets.

“I am honoured to be leading the Disney team in Africa and to collaborate with colleagues across EMEA in delivering long-term growth and impact. It’s an exciting time to be in the media industry, and I look forward to building on Disney’s dynamic foundation to bring beloved brands and stories to even more Africans,” Knock said.

Amselem stressed that Knock’s blend of technology, content, and consumer insights will be critical as Disney navigates Africa’s rapidly evolving streaming and digital entertainment landscape which is increasingly shaped by mobile-first audiences.

“With Knock at the helm, Disney appears poised to deepen its roots on the continent by marrying global storytelling power with African creativity, connectivity, and opportunity,” he stated.