(Telecompaper) African mobile operator Vodacom has announced the appointment of Yolanda Cuba, an independent non-executive director, as its new chief officer for strategy and business development with effect from 1 November. Vodacom said Cuba would become a member of the group executive, after stepping down from the board on 31 October. Cuba is a member of Vodacom's audit, risk and compliance committee. Her background includes a role as executive director for strategy and business support at South African Breweries (SAB). Before joining SAB, she was one of South Africa's youngest CEOs when she took the helm of Mvelaphanda Group in 2007. Neil Gough currently holds the position of chief officer of strategy development, having joined Vodacom in August 2011, after being with Vodafone Group since 2003.