OK Zimbabwe Limited has announced a sweeping overhaul of its board following the retirement of long-serving chairman Herbert Nkala, marking a significant leadership transition at the listed retailer.

In a statement titled Retirement of Board Chairman, the company confirmed that Nkala retired from the board with effect from 11 December 2025, bringing to a close a tenure described by the board as one of “zest and distinction.”

 The board, management and staff expressed appreciation for his years of service, thanking him for his dedication and commitment to OK Zimbabwe and wishing him well in his future endeavours.

Nkala’s departure coincides with a broader reconfiguration of the board, including the appointment of a new board chairman with effect from 12 December 2025, as well as several new directors. 

OK Zimbabwe said the changes form part of a wider effort to strengthen governance, deepen leadership capacity and support the next phase of the group’s growth and transformation.

In its notice to shareholders, the company said the refreshed board is intended to enhance leadership depth and provide strategic oversight in an increasingly competitive retail environment. 

The incoming directors, it noted, bring extensive experience from both local and regional markets, positioning the group to respond more effectively to shifting consumer trends, operational pressures and market dynamics.

As part of the board renewal, OK Zimbabwe has appointed Charles Nkululeko Msipa, Tracey Mutaviri and Tawanda Masose as non-executive directors, with the appointments taking effect from 12 December 2025.

Msipa is a qualified lawyer with academic training from Tufts University in the United States, the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, the University of London and the University of Zimbabwe. 

He has held senior leadership roles across law, banking, beverages, marketing and manufacturing, including serving as Managing Director of Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited. 

Beyond his corporate career, Msipa has played a prominent role in industry advocacy, having previously served as president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and chairperson of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe.

Mutaviri brings nearly four decades of professional experience spanning academia and the private sector. She began her career at the University of Zimbabwe, where she held various roles in teaching, research and faculty administration before becoming Dean of the Faculty of Commerce. 

She later transitioned into the private sector, occupying senior executive positions in marketing and general management at major corporates, including PG Industries and Zimplow Holdings. 

Mutaviri has also served on several public and private sector boards and previously held the role of Deputy Chairperson of the National Competitiveness Commission.

Masose joins the board with a strong background in finance, investment management and transaction advisory. 

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Banking and Finance from Murdoch University in Western Australia and is currently General Manager of Remoggo (Mauritius) PCC, an investment holding company with interests in logistics, FMCG retail and wholesale, facilities management, property and agribusiness across Zimbabwe and the SADC region. 

His experience includes mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate restructuring, as well as board roles in several private companies.

OK Zimbabwe said the reconstituted board will focus on driving shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation, customer-centric innovation and continued expansion of the group’s retail footprint.