Afrirent Holdings has appointed Shadi Makhuvele as its new group chief financial officer, effective 1 February 2026, in a move aimed at reinforcing the executive team as the company expands beyond its core fleet management operations.
The appointment comes at a time when mid-sized transport and logistics groups are facing mounting pressure to strengthen financial oversight amid rising fuel costs, tighter credit conditions and shifting procurement patterns in both the public and private sectors.
Makhuvele brings nearly 25 years of operational and financial experience across major South African corporates. Her background spans strategy development, cost transformation, financial planning and analysis, digital and data strategy, and corporate governance.
Before joining Afrirent, Makhuvele held senior leadership roles including executive finance business partner, chief of staff and divisional finance manager. In those capacities, she worked alongside executive teams to improve financial performance and implement strategic initiatives. Her experience includes leading optimisation initiatives tied to multi-billion-rand projects, underscoring a track record in capital allocation and operational efficiency.
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Afrirent, which has built its reputation in fleet management and logistics, has in recent years expanded into hospitality, mining and other sectors as it seeks diversified revenue streams. The fleet management market in South Africa remains competitive, with corporates and government departments under increasing scrutiny to improve asset utilisation and reduce lifecycle costs.
Chairman Senzo Tsabedze indicated that the company has established a solid position in fleet management and logistics while broadening its footprint into adjacent industries. He signalled that Makhuvele’s combined expertise in finance, technology and operations would support the group’s next phase of growth.
Her appointment reflects a wider trend across South African mid-cap firms, where boards are reinforcing finance leadership as businesses pursue expansion while navigating currency volatility, inflationary pressures and evolving regulatory requirements. For Afrirent, the addition of a senior executive with experience in strategic finance and transformation suggests a focus on embedding stronger governance frameworks and data-driven decision-making as it scales its diversified portfolio.