Pienaar's appointment will see MTN's Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Strategy functions being separated, with Khumo Shuenyane focusing on M&A and international business development.
Pienaar is currently the CEO of MTN SA, while Bulbulia is the chief financial officer of the South African operation and acting chief business officer for MTN Business.
As group chief strategy officer, Pienaar will be responsible for overseeing MTN strategy across its 22 operations. A founding member of MTN, Pienaar has served the Group in various leadership roles, including as group chief technology and information officer and CEO of MTN Nigeria.
Bulbulia has 19 years telecoms experience, and is also a founding member of MTN. He was appointed CFO of MTN SA in 2005. As CEO, he is tasked with bolstering MTN's competitive position in the South Africa market.
Both Pienaar and Bulbulia will serve on the MTN Group Executive Committee.
