At least 27 of Johannesburg’s top women leaders in the IT field came together for high-energy discussions and appreciation for the journey to CIO.
The three-course dinner marked the fourth instalment of the CIO South Africa Women’s Circle, which consists of a network of support, innovation and connection.
The dinner, sponsored by Makwa IT, gave women a chance to come together and share lessons in leadership for the CIOs chair. As guests began to arrive at the venue, they were greeted with champagne and a photoshoot to ease them into the night. Ladies across sectors gathered on the patio across the bar, some meeting for the first time while others were happy to reunite for the first CIO Women’s Circle Dinner of 2026.
They were then led into a private dining area with round tables, beautifully laid out for intimate group conversations, while tucking into a delicious dinner.
Feminine energy
The evening kicked off with one of the attendees introducing the theme of the dinner discussion with a few personal anecdotes. “It’s so beautiful to be surrounded by such strong feminine energy, it leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy,” she said.
She acknowledged the hard work every woman had put into their careers that led them to the CIOs office. “You are in an environment that is so hard to navigate where you have heard things that are so racist, sexist and even ageist and you stood your ground,” she told attendees.
Next, the discussions went deeper as women explored what type of leaders they’d become, who is watching them, how they showed up and what paying it forward meant to them.
For some CIOs, it was a chance to be vulnerable, with a few admitting that they’d not become the leaders they wanted to be. “We know that we are not engaging and collaborating enough. In some cases, we are not even taking ownership of the challenges and we are going to change that,” said one guest.
Becoming a hardened female
Another guest noted that in some cases their working environments changed not only their leadership styles, but also how they showed up as women. “It makes you harder and that changes your focus because you go into survival mode.”
Other guests were in agreement, with the conversation shifting to being able to muster up the courage to leave toxic work environments.
Another CIO pointed out that powerful leaders are secure about themselves and their abilities. “It’s important to remember who you are and what your purpose is. That helps to dilute the toxicity,” she said.
Women also acknowledged that they don’t always know how to deal with toxicity in the workplace. At which point the same CIO said: “Remember, toxic people are weak. It starts with belief in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you won’t take crap,” the guest said.
Another CIO said strong leaders deliver results. “They will have nothing to use against you if you are able to do your job,” she said.
At the mention of job competence, women were unanimous, highlighting an often unconscious bias: Men are given the benefit of competence without it being tested while women have to work ten times harder to prove they are not incompetent.
Crawling under desks in heels
“When I first started in IT and it was male dominated, I thought I had to be hard. I didn’t feel like I could be womanly or even wear a girly dress to work,” said another CIO.
While being able to stay in their female energy while on the job was difficult initially, women at the dinner say they’re now showing up to work unapologetically feminine.
“I will wear my heels to work and if I have to crawl under the desk and connect cables, I will do it in my dress and heels,” she told guests who’d erupted in applause and shouts of agreement.
As the evening wore on, women discussed legacy and how they are paying it forward. “We are very fortunate to have made this far in this career and only a small portion of people ever get to this level,” explained one guest. She said her legacy is exposing colleagues and other women to the executives table, and giving them a window into how big decisions are made. “That also helps when it's performance assessment and bonus time because the CFO and the CEOs will know who the employees are,” she said.
One CIO said her leadership style and legacy is evident when people from other teams or departments want to work with her. “They know that I fight for my people when I need to, so they ask if they can join my team,” she told attendees.
When asked about who is watching them in these positions the women were again in agreement.
“My kids are watching me and that is my biggest legacy. Children watch how you treat them when you are stressed and it impacts their perception of being a professional,” said one CIO.
Another CIO said as a mother of a young boy, she was delighted to find out her son’s hero is a powerful woman. She referenced a popular Netflix movie titled K-Pop Demon Hunters which features three strong female leads.“The mum’s here will know Rumi, the purple-haired character. I was just chatting to another CIO and her son also loves Rumi. And as young boys, how amazing is it that they appreciate powerful female characters?” she asked.
While women acknowledged that being good role models for their children are important, one CIO noted, rather dryly- that men are also watching women leaders closely. “They want to see how you show up, if you show up. Even if Rome is burning they want to see if you are consistent. If you show up consistently, then they won’t question the next woman,” she concluded.
Those in attendance were:
Bessy Mahopo, CIO, Standard Bank
Doreen Thabe, Group head of IT, Metropolitan Health
Dr Sylvia Sathekge, CIO, NHLS
Dumazile Lubando, Group head of IT, Balwin Properties
Emily Mbele, CIO, RMB
Esther Munyi, Dead of AI & technology enablement, PATH
Faith Burn, CTO & COO, The land agricultural and development bank
Farieda Mayet, CIO, FNB
Gita Daya, CIO Bank Zero
Hanlie Hanlie de Bod, CIO, Harambee
Hlubi Sonjica, community manager, CIO South Africa
Jenny Mohanlall, senior director: IT, DHL Express
Keneilwe Gwabeni, CIO Rand Mutual
Khanyisa Mhlaba, CIO, Absa
Kholeka Tsotsotso, CIO, Development Bank of Southern Africa
Koketso Mokwatlo, IT executive, Nedbank Africa
Lillia Marques, associate director, Africa technology, Deloitte Africa Services
Maletsema Phofu, CISO, University of Johannesburg
Martina Madali, CIO, Arena Holdings
Mmule Sapula, Portfolio Executive, Nedbank
Nadia Veeran-Patel, CISO, LRMG
Narissa Delport, senior writer, CFO South Africa
Nkhane Lugisani, CIDO Gautrain Management Agency
Nomonde White, CIO, Absa Bank
Ntando Dhlamini, Makwa IT
Portia Matsena, Divisional Executive: Hyper automation, Nedbank
Pulana Ngwasheng, CIO, Zeda Limited
Sharon Maasdorp, Makwa IT
Sne Dlamini, Group Vice President: Technology and Digital, AECI
Sophy Moumakoe, CIO, Exxaro
Vinoliah Martin, CIO, PwC
Yosheen Padayachee, group CIO, SAICA
