At the inaugural 2025 IT Indaba, leading CIOs and CTOs emphasised that while technology continues to advance, the foundation of a truly data-driven culture lies in mastering the basics, quality data, ethical management and investing in people.
The very first of its kind, the 2025 IT Indaba hosted the best tech minds in the country. Under the bright Joburg sky, the Sandton Convention Centre was full of energy, engaging conversations and intriguing panel discussions.
In a discussion titled The role of IT in fostering a data-driven culture Moloti Nkune, the CIO MICT SETA; Phila Ndarana, the CTO of the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA); and Braam Koekemoer, the group information system manager of Komati Fruit Group highlighted the importance of sticking to the basics when it comes strategising IT solutions for an organisations.
Braam explained that it often happens that people underestimate the quality of data, but it works against the organisation if the basics of data collection are not met. He added that even advanced tools and systems are of no value if the end users are not well informed on the basic functions of the advanced tools and systems.
He detailed that one of the lessons he gathered from the Komati Fruit Group was to have executive buy-in to support with funding. He then added that even having a good strategy plan will help the organisation implement good data collection.
“When you plan your strategy you need to make sure that you plan on a longer term basis so that your strategy plan becomes a road map that can be used in stages,” he said.
He stressed that after the data is collected, it all boils down to the quality of the data so that the organisation can make informed and beneficial decisions based on the data collected.
“It is no use having all these good systems and you cannot even collect good quality data that can benefit the company,” he said.
The importance of data ethics and credibility
Agreeing with Braam’s sentiments, Phila highlighted the link between data collection and the presence of people collecting the data. He explained that for him at the AGSA, the people aspect of his team is more important than anything else.
“For us it starts with the people. We produce audit reports and data is indeed the lifeblood of our organisation, but without the people to collect the data and implement it, we’re at a standstill,” he said.
“In fact, data should be credible and if it's not credible, we lose credibility, meaning we are no longer a reliable source. So, eventually, it all comes back to the importance of having good quality data.”
Phila explained to the attendees that while the world and industry is making a move and shift towards innovation and technological advancements, the one secret that is needed to hold it all together is data ethics that regulate data collection.
He added that if data is collected but not managed well, the people engaging it will not do well. “People and data will always come together, but the glue that binds them together is ethics,” he said.
“Data is very important and it is at the heart and soul of what we do. There is a sweet spot where data and people work together and ethics play a role there. So, it is important to know that this data has to do well otherwise the business suffers,” he said.
Keeping up with the times
Moloti expressed his experience with a paper pushed organisation transitioning into digitisation and advancement, adding that for him, it has been an experience that he has been having in his role at Seta.
“We must recognise the strategic value. It positions every organisation to transition from an older way of doing things to the modern way of doing things that include better technology, digitisation and even AI,” he said.
He explains that when he inherited a system that was heavily paper reliant it was challenging to digitise the organisation at first, however, a steady introduction of basic and simple systems made the users more comfortable with the change.
“We have to work up a programme with the intention of changing the landscape, but do so very steadily with the end user in mind. Data is very important in our sector because we now work at a faster pace and we cannot afford to miss out,” he said.
