KBL Appoints Hannes Smal as Managing Director Effective January 2026

KBL Appoints Hannes Smal as Managing Director Effective January 2026. Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) has announced the appointment of Mr Hannes Smal as its new Managing Director, effective 1 January 2026. Mr Smal joins the company from Maluti Mountain Brewery in Lesotho, an AB InBev subsidiary, where he served as Managing Director from 2022 to 2025.

During his tenure at Maluti Mountain Brewery, Mr Smal delivered notable commercial outcomes. The business recorded an EBITDA improvement of 21 percentage points, while net revenue increased by 4.3 percent. Growth was also recorded in the Beyond Beer category, which expanded by 5.4 percent over the period. In 2024, the Maluti brand was recognised as Lesotho’s “Most Admired Local Brand,” reflecting its market performance during his leadership. His time at the brewery was also marked by consistently high employee engagement scores.

Mr Smal’s leadership career began at South African Breweries in Mpumalanga, South Africa. He served four years as Sales Manager before moving into the role of District Manager for a further four years. As District Manager, he achieved 14 percent volume growth and 20 percent revenue growth, results that contributed to his progression into senior executive roles within the AB InBev group.

With more than 14 years of experience, Mr Smal brings expertise in multi-year business strategy development, market penetration across multiple channels, and long-term value creation. His appointment marks a leadership transition as KBL continues to focus on innovation and market growth.

Mr Smal succeeds Mr Carlos Bernitt, who concluded his term as Managing Director on 31 December 2025. Under Mr Bernitt’s leadership, KBL reported strong operational performance, increased its share in the premium segment, and advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives. During his tenure, women came to represent 40 percent of the company’s workforce.

ommenting on the appointment, AB InBev Business Unit South-East Africa President José Moran said the company was pleased to welcome Mr Smal, noting that his experience would support KBL’s continued development and regional relevance.