In honour of International Women’s Month, CIO South Africa highlights interviews with leading IT executives who are shaping the future of the country’s technology landscape and creating pathways for the next generation of women in tech.
South Africa’s ICT sector continues to evolve under the leadership of women who are redefining what effective, people-centred technology leadership looks like. To mark the close of international women’s month, we revisit conversations with three CIOs and CTOs who share insights into their careers, leadership approaches, and the experiences that have shaped them.
Corlia van Zyl
Digital and technology director (DNT) at Heineken Beverages Corlia van Zyl’s three-decade career at Heineken Beverages reflects a consistent focus on resilience and authenticity. Her progression into leadership was driven by a willingness to step beyond defined roles and take on new challenges.
“I wouldn’t be here today if I stuck to my job description in my initial years at Heineken Beverages. Put up your hand and take opportunities, regardless of whether the task is more senior or junior than your current job titles,” she advises. Read Corlia’s interview with CIO South Africa here to learn more about her journey at the company.
Sne Dlamini
Award-winning technology leader and group VP of technology and digital at AECI, Sne Dlamini’s journey into IT was inspired by the strong matriarchs in her family. When she completed her matric, she was undecided on what to study but today, her team supports about 7,000 employees located across 150+ sites in six continents and 20 countries. Her leadership approach is rooted in fostering high-performance cultures while ensuring organisational alignment.
“I consider myself a leader who drives a high-performance culture. However, I’ve learnt that transformation only works when people come along on the journey. You can have the best IT strategy in the world, but without the right people to execute it – the strategy will fail because culture eats strategy for breakfast."
Learn more about her role in AECI’s digital transformation strategy here.
Dr Sylvia Sathekge
Dr Sylvia Sathekge brings a strong focus on public service to her role as CIO of the NHLS. Her continued pursuit of formal education and involvement in initiatives such as CodeGirls reflects a commitment to both personal development and community impact.
“My transition to the NHLS is deeply personal. I come from a family dedicated to medical service, from my mother, who served as a nurse, to my siblings and their children. This multi-generational legacy instilled in me a profound ‘countryman consciousness’ and a sense of duty to South Africa. It drives my passion to ensure that tech-enabled healthcare reaches every citizen, honouring the spirit of service I witnessed at home,” Sylvia says.
Read her interview here to learn more about her career journey.
