The one night a year CIO South Africa lets the sales pitch in. That's how 28 July played out at The Venue Green Park in Morningside, Sandton, as a room full of CIOs and IT decision-makers watched sales partners – from global players like Kaspersky and Workday to homegrown iOCO – take the stage for the 2026 Pitch Parade.
Here’s what IT leaders had to say about the 2026 Pitch Parade:
Obey Makhuvele, head of IT, Redefine Properties
Apart from knowing what is happening out there – we are all talking about AI, which is a massive buzzword in the press and the news. For me, it is about how we grow as an organisation and how we grow as a country. Technology evolves in a minute.
What I got out of today most importantly, and something that I relate to the most, is around cost management. If you look at what the team from Magic Orange presented, they emphasised that it all starts with visualisation. If you can get an accurate idea of all the systems and applications running in your ecosystem, you are able to manage them a lot better. For the guys who are not here, you are missing out on a lot – Oh, and the food was amazing!
Sizwe Mabanga, CTO, Mpilo Technologies
The open bar and food are great. But of particular interest are the incisive views from people who are at the coalface. A good example would be the Cassava guy, who really went for the jugular talking about how sovereignty is a geopolitical consideration for all of us. I was very excited. It is actually the speech I would have given, so I am jealous.
Martina Madali, group CIO, Arena Holdings
First, understanding what other organisations are doing and how they approach their challenges is an eye-opener. When you sit in your own corner without knowing what others are doing, it limits your options. Second, it gives you direct access to what suppliers are developing, which helps you consider new ways to make a tangible difference within your own organisation. You can take what you need, leave what you don't, but it gives you essential options to consider.
Mohammad Malik, head of technology and enablement, SAP
For me it is a networking opportunity. When I am back at the office, my day-to-day activity is with the people I work with, and I do not get to interact with business leaders, especially those in the technology space. I work in financial services, so I typically interact only with financial services individuals.
This environment gives me exposure to leading technologies like AI. At work, we discuss AI at a generative AI level, whereas here I get to discuss real use cases and how we actually put solutions in the hands of end users. For me, that is the biggest value, and I do not think there is any other platform that allows for this.
Mmule Sapula, portfolio executive, Nedbank
Touching base with fellow technology executives who are solving similarly complex challenges. There is immense value in understanding that you are not alone and that your problems are not unique. Knowing you have industry colleagues tackling the same obstacles allows you to bounce ideas, brainstorm and learn from their experiences.
It provides a fantastic support structure. As you grow in leadership, it can become lonely at the top because there is only so much you can share with your own team. Being here among one's peers, where you can be yourself and exchange notes on leadership challenges, is incredibly empowering. I am very grateful for this kind of platform.
Tafadzwa Ramhewa, IT director, QCTO
My takeaway here is simply the cross-pollination of ideas, as well as hearing different approaches to what could be possible solutions to my own challenges in my own work area.
Keneilwe Gwabeni, group CIO, Rand Mutual Assurance
Attending these events is one of the best ways to keep pace with rapid technology trends and discover practical business solutions. You get to meet the actual solution providers in person, which is far better than simply Googling. It allows you to ask questions, clarify concepts and, most importantly, connect with peers who are struggling with the exact same challenges so you can learn and share with each other.
