Dr Stanley Mpofu, CIO at the University of the Witwatersrand, graciously took to the stage, on 12 November, to walk away with the prestigious honour of 2024 CIO of the Year at the 'Oscars of IT'.
The CIO of the Year Award, which was presented by EOH chief commercial officer Ziaad Suleman, recognises a CIO who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation, contributing to the success of their organisation over a number of years.
Stanley has implemented projects to enable the automation of thesis submissions, integrated workplace management, and connectivity to Wits teaching hospitals. He transformed the university’s classrooms using digital innovation, where 80 percent of classrooms now support hybrid teaching. He implemented business continuity, data quality and security policies for the university while focusing on collaboration with academics. He pioneered the rolling out of the eduroam platform, giving students at 26 universities access to the internet. He pioneered the same for airports, CoJ for libraries and Attacq for malls.
“I don’t see myself as anything special or better than anybody and try to lead a normal life. A high position for me purely means delegation of people, but you need to be one of the people,” Stanley said as he accepted the CIO of the Year award.
“This award means a lot to me and I hope that my employer recognises that the support they give me at work helps me work better. Even better, I'm elated by the support I’ve received from my peers.”
It was a busy night for Stanley as earlier in the evening, he accepted the award for IT Project of the Year! This award was presented by 2023 CIO of the Year Jörg Fischer from Standard Bank.
“When you're standing on stage in front of an audience, you can often feel more exposed than confident, as if you're small among giants. Reflecting on my journey at Wits, I'm deeply grateful for the support I've received – from the vice chancellor, who has championed Wits as the 'MIT of Africa', to the unwavering encouragement from colleagues across the university. Everything I do, and the impression I make, is a direct result of the people I work alongside, from heads of faculty to the dedicated cleaners,” said Stanley.
“I come from the rural areas and get support from the village, my wife and my many children,” he jokingly added.
Transnet’s group CIO Pandelani Munyai walked away with the Public Sector CIO of the Year award, which is dedicated to recognising a CIO who demonstrates their ability to leverage technology to improve government operations, enhance citizen services, and drive digital transformation within their organisation.
Pandelani is a forward-thinking C-level executive who leads and manages technology deployment, and aligns IT strategies with business processes. His achievements include the modernisation of legacy network infrastructures leveraging 5G, SD-WAN, and network function virtualisation that is critical to the digital transformation journey. He also championed the modernisation of ERP leveraging AI/ML tools for the automation of financial systems and the development of intelligent rail and port systems such as autonomous guide vehicles and remotely controlled STS cranes.
“From where I sit, it’s not easy to work for government, but it’s very interesting. Many people want to work for the government today because of the work that we do. Moreover, I’d like to thank the private sector which has helped the public sector work, through our partnerships with OEMs and the like,” said Pandelani during his acceptance speech.
“As I speak to you today, I can attest that Transnet is the most transformed organisation today, not to mention what we’ve achieved with cybersecurity for instance,” he added.
Stanley wasn’t the only big winner of the night as Bidvest Bank’s Nomonde White-Ndlovu took home the Young CIO of the Year title. This award was presented by Kavitha Prag, director: ERP at Deloitte.
“I’d like to firstly acknowledge God, you’ve been kind to me tonight. I remain deeply grateful: I am a product of a domestic worker, my grandmother, who raised me, and the privilege to lead is not something I take lightly,” she noted.
“The only thing I’ve always wanted to achieve is working hard enough that my grandmother wouldn’t need to work as a domestic worker anymore – something which I’ve achieved.
Thank you for making team South Africa work and allowing women to lead, thank you to everyone who has always rooted for me,” she said.
But even before she could return to her table, Nomonde had to make two more trips back to the stage. She also grabbed the High Performance Team Award, which recognises a CIO who has built and led a high-performing IT team that has made a significant contribution to their organisation's success, presented by Boyd Chislett, chief business officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
“I repeat, I truly stand behind the shoulders of giants, the team has had to deal with crazy deadlines and limited resources, however, tonight I get to say, you did that! I also need to thank my entire exco. I’m privileged and tonight has been a true honour and although I’m not as articulate as I’d wished to be tonight, I just wanted to say that I’m truly grateful,” she commented on stage.
Nomonde also walked away with the Strategy & Leadership Award, which was presented by Entelect CCO Daniel Manyemwe, in recognition of her outstanding leadership in developing and implementing effective IT strategies.
“Awards make me anxious but I’d like to thank my exceptional team – the Bidvest family. Being here today is because I stand on the shoulders of giants, a company led by women, the likes of Mpumi Madisa Bidvest CEO. I’m honoured to be here among my peers, I’m nothing without the great leaders I work for. I was just grateful for being nominated, let alone winning an award,” said an emotional Nomonde.
Winners circle
The Smart Data Award was presented to Engen CIO Aveena Mothilall, who created an intelligent enterprise with real-time decision-making through data, data creating value in the customer experience and driving efficiencies in their supply chain. Aveena uses Strength Scope Management to enhance team performance and has increased employee engagement. She is passionate about championing the future of work, with new skills and ways of working; and building the talent pipeline. This award was handed out by Sharon Maasdorp, COO at MakwaIT
“Thank you to CIO South Africa for providing a platform for collaboration. With the data power we have coupled with the young people we have, we are a powerhouse. Data is the future and everyone in this room has a role to play in it!”
The Cybersecurity Award was presented to Clicks head of IT Ridwan Khan, who through his leadership helped Clicks implement multiple solutions including planning, pricing, promotions, merchandising, supply chain, mobile app, e-commerce, DC, order management, loyalty, and started programmes on security and data. This award was presented by Sharon Maasdorp, COO at MakwaIT.
“I think the credit has to go to my head of cybersecurity, cybersecurity for me is just the difference between, one company that has been hacked and another yet to be hacked. My mission is to ensure that the next hack doesn’t happen before I retire,” he joked.
The Digital Innovation Award, which celebrates a CIO who has leveraged emerging technologies to drive innovation and create new business opportunities, was presented to Christiaan du Preez, CDIO at RMB, by Mark Odendaal, account executive: large enterprise at Workday.
“It’s all about the team and the culture that’s been created in the organisation, much of this win speaks to the culture shift at RMB,” said Christiaan.
The full list of CIO Awards 2024 winners:
- CIO of the Year – Dr Stanley Mpofu, Wits University
- Young CIO of the Year – Nomonde White-Ndlovu, Bidvest Bank
- Public Sector – Pandelani Munyai, Transnet
- Digital Innovation – Christiaan du Preez, RMB
- High Performance Team – Nomonde White-Ndlovu, Bidvest Bank
- Strategy & Leadership – Nomonde White-Ndlovu, Bidvest Bank
- IT Project of the Year – Dr Stanley Mpofu, Wits University
- Cybersecurity – Ridwan Khan, Clicks Group
- Smart Data – Aveena Mothilall, Engen
The judges for the second annual 2024 CIO Awards were:
- Faith Burn, CIO at Eskom
- Jörg Fischer, group CIO at Standard Bank
- Kholiwe Makhohliso, SAP Southern Africa Managing Director
- Lauren Berrington, Bidvest Chief Audit Officer
- Lyndi Retief, consultant at Odgers Berndtson
- Matimba Mbungela Vodacom, CHRO
- Omeshnee Naidoo, Deloitte CIO Programme leader
- Thuto Masasa, BDO Head of Advisory
- Warren Hero, former CIO at Webber Wentzel
- Valda Gossman, AngloGold Ashanti Former group CDIO
- Zuko Mdwaba, Salesforce Area Vice President
This year’s CIO Awards were hosted in conjunction with Awards Partners MakwaIT, Deloitte, Entelect, Workday, iOCO and Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
Table sponsors were Africa Data Centres, BCX, Equinix, HCL Tech, NeoSOFT, Old Mutual, RMB, and Bidvest Bank. Associate Partners were Communication Genetics and Nkgwete IT.
