Lonwabo will be tasked with building internal IT capacity that will enable the agency to deliver on its digital transformation.
Kagiso Trust, which is a developmental agency established in 1985 and will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has appointed Lonwabo Malghas as its new head of IT. He brings along solid project and programme management training to Kagiso Trust, which will be crucial in managing the agency’s digital transformation programme.
Kagiso Trust boasts some of South Africa’s well-known stalwarts as its founding trustees and patrons, including Dr Abe Nkomo, Dr Beyers Naude, Archbishop Emeritus Tutu and Zanele Mbeki.
“The educational interventions that the agency runs have had a significant impact in helping the black youth of South Africa in furthering their studies for decades, including some of my own family members,” says Lonwabo.
This was one of the biggest motivators for him to accept the job offer – an opportunity to become part of Kagiso Trust’s legacy.
Lonwabo will be reporting to the executive for corporate services and explains his role as a hybrid between a chief information officer and a chief technology officer – combining accountability for IT with technology and product delivery. “I will act as an internal advisor to the board on information strategy, infrastructure and systems as well as being the leader in new product development. In addition to always keeping an eye to the future and scanning the horizon for new digital technologies,” he says.
According to Lonwabo, the agency’s long-term strategic goals are focused on creating and scaling transformative poverty-alleviating programmes, continuous innovation and strategic partnerships for socio-economic development.
“In education the agency is developing digital content lessons for mathematics and physical science, building a virtual reality classroom and laboratory for learners to visualise the chemical experiments and interact with the elements of the periodic table in a stimulating way,” he explains. “Through partnerships, the agency intends to deliver robotics and artificial intelligence training to selected schools in Limpopo and Free State provinces. Within agriculture there are several technology solutions that are intended for farmer SMMEs in the Limpopo province, to assist them in scaling their operations through technological innovations.”
Lonwabo’s long-term vision is to leverage technology as a key enabler for Kagiso’s growth, innovation and operational excellence, and position IT as a strategic driver that empowers business units.
“I intend to lead a digital transformation that fosters agility and innovation that will help optimise internal operations and create value for the agency’s stakeholders, build a proactive security culture, implement advanced security frameworks and continuously educate employees on best practices in protecting the agency.
He further plans to build a high-performing, future-focused and diverse IT team at Kagiso that will foster cross-functional collaboration. “This will help to develop a technology-driven agency that is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow,” he says.
Lonwabo holds a diploma in IT management information systems and services from Durban University of Technology and an advanced diploma in business project management from UCT. He is currently enrolled in the Johannesburg Business School MBA programme, where he has a strong focus on digital transformation.
