Time Out South Africa has appointed Aisha Mohamed as its new managing director, marking a strategic leadership shift as the global city guide brand accelerates its local expansion.
Time Out South Africa has appointed Aisha Mohamed as its managing director. Image supplied
Time Out launched in South Africa in early 2025 in partnership with Kagiso Connect, initially covering Cape Town and Johannesburg, with plans to expand into other major centres in the near term.
Mohamed’s appointment signals the next phase of growth as the business moves beyond launch mode toward commercial scale and deeper audience engagement.
A leader rooted in culture and commerce
Mohamed brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience across media, entertainment, broadcasting and marketing. Her career spans key roles at Sony Music Entertainment Africa, SABC TV, 5FM, and Viacom, where she led audience growth strategies, digital transformation initiatives and high-value commercial partnerships.
Operating at the intersection of culture, creativity and commerce, Mohamed has built platforms designed to be both culturally relevant and commercially sustainable — a skill set closely aligned with Time Out’s positioning as a global authority on city experiences.
Nick Grubb, CEO of Kagiso Connect, said Mohamed brings the clarity and leadership required for this next chapter.
“Aisha brings the strategic clarity, commercial acumen, and cultural understanding needed to lead Time Out into its next phase of growth and unlock the full potential of the brand in South Africa. She has a strong track record of delivering audience-first growth strategies and building high-performing teams, and we’re excited about the leadership and energy she brings to the business,” he said.
Building on a strong launch foundation
The appointment follows the successful launch phase led by Anthea Carstens, who will now focus on the broader Kagiso Connect Publishing portfolio.
“Anthea has done a stellar job of building a skilled and passionate editorial team at Time Out and delivering on the objectives set for the launch phase of the business,” Grubb added.
Kagiso Connect recently rebranded from Kagiso Media Radio houses radio stations Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio, as well as independent financial services advisory Vouch. The rebrand reflects a broader evolution into a diversified media and services group.
With nearly 60 years of global expertise, Time Out connects audiences across more than 350 cities worldwide, curating the best in food, culture and experiences through trusted local voices.
Commenting on her appointment, Mohamed said the role represents both an honour and a responsibility.
“Time Out is one of the world’s most respected cultural authorities, and the opportunity to lead its next chapter in South Africa is both an honour and an exciting responsibility. Our cities are dynamic, creative and globally competitive, and Time Out is uniquely positioned at the intersection of culture and experience. I’m looking forward to working with the team to deepen audience engagement and build strong, sustainable partnerships.”
As Time Out South Africa prepares to expand beyond Cape Town and Johannesburg, Mohamed’s leadership will be central to scaling the brand’s editorial authority while unlocking new commercial opportunities in the country’s evolving media and lifestyle landscape.
