From high-level summits to award ceremonies and targeted leadership events, CIO South Africa curated experiences that connected IT executives, showcased innovation and celebrated achievements in 2025.

A snapshot of South African CIOs who led high-impact transformation in 2025 by aligning technology, people and strategy to deliver measurable change under real-world constraints.

Bayobab Africa, the MTN Group company responsible for its digital infrastructure portfolio, has announced the appointment of Rami Farah as chief information and technology officer, effective 1 January 2026.

When Pick n Pay committed to a turnaround strategy in February 2024, the role of IT was clear: support the business and deliver results without unnecessary complexity. For CIO Mark Tudor, that meant focusing on practical innovation and measurable value.

A new wave of senior appointments in 2025 highlighted the growing influence of women who are shaping technology strategy and operational transformation across major South African organisations.

South Africa’s technology leaders approach reading as a source of insight, development and balance in their professional and personal lives. Their selections reflect a blend of leadership philosophy, industry awareness and personal curiosity.

Mike Cross has stepped into the role of executive: chief technology officer at Namib Minerals, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the information and communications technology sector.

Dr Bongani Andy Mabaso, group CTO at Altron, likes to think on the fly and at the age of five was already dismantling toys, trying to figure out how each component worked. With roots in engineering and a leadership philosophy shaped by accountability and empowerment, he has built his career on pragmatism, problem-solving and an unwavering focus on people.

Media24 has confirmed the permanent appointment of Mergan Velayudan as chief technology and AI officer. His appointment follows a period as interim CIO that began in July 2025.

Nominations for the “Oscars of IT” are now officially open, following the success of the third annual CIO Awards. This is your opportunity to acknowledge exceptional CIOs and IT leaders for their pivotal contributions to organisational success.

In the rapidly changing world of healthcare, technology is not just an enabler but a cornerstone of sustainable transformation. At Life Healthcare, CIO David Price has emerged as a key architect of this shift, bringing a distinctive engineer’s lens to IT leadership.

As global organisations explore models that combine IT and HR to meet the demands of an evolving workplace, CIO South Africa asked leading local executives whether the same shift could take root in the country.

Eugene Van der Merwe has been announced as the newly-appointed CIO of Tiger Brands.

Eswee Vorster believes in setting his young team free “to do their crazy”. Since joining low-cost airline FlySafair in 2015, the CIO has spent the last decade building the team, systems and thinking that underpin the airline’s high-performance digital backbone.

WeBuyCars has announced the appointment of Dr Wynand Beukes as deputy CEO, effective 1 January 2026.

AVI has announced the appointment of Mornè van Rensburg as its new CIO.

Absa group CITO Johnson Idesoh reflects on his triple wins and outlines how the recognition will drive his team’s next phase of digital and data innovation.

MakwaIT’s head of governance, risk and assurance, Michèle Duncan, shares the company’s commitment to recognising IT leaders who are leading in the cybersecurity space.

Hollard Insurance South Africa has announced the appointment of Thabo Modise as its new CIO.

An industry leader and digital transformation expert, Khaya Mbanga, BDO South Africa’s CIDO unpacks how the company is staying ahead of the AI revolution.