ITWeb Brainstorm CIO of the Year Finalists: South Africa Unveils Top Tech Leaders

• ITWeb Brainstorm has announced the finalists for its CIO of the Year awards, presented in partnership with First Distribution and Microsoft.
• The awards feature two categories: Enterprise CIO of the Year and Public Sector CIO of the Year.
• Notable Enterprise CIO of the Year finalists include Assaad Honein from Motus, Jochem Melis from Absa, and Sne Dlamini from Sasol.
• Finalists will undergo interviews, with judging focused on their leadership in enterprise technology achievements over the past year.
• Winners are scheduled to be revealed on October 22nd at the Brainstorm CIO Banquet.

The primary focus of the assessment will be on the leadership demonstrated by these executives in their organization’s enterprise technology achievements over the past year, alongside other specific criteria.

The ITWeb Brainstorm CIO of the Year awards, presented in collaboration with First Distribution and Microsoft, have unveiled their highly anticipated list of finalists. These distinguished technology leaders, chosen from numerous nominations submitted by the ICT community, represent the pinnacle of innovation and strategic leadership within South Africa's enterprise and public sectors. The comprehensive South Africa CIO awards shortlist highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional prowess in navigating complex technological landscapes.

The competition is divided into two distinct categories: the Enterprise CIO of the Year and the Public Sector CIO of the Year. Among the prominent Enterprise CIO of the Year finalists are Assaad Honein, the group CIO at Motus; Jochem Melis, CIO for cloud, infrastructure, and core platforms at Absa; and Sne Dlamini, group chief information and digital officer at Sasol. Other notable figures in this category include Strini Mudaly, CIO at Gold Fields; Theo Mabaso, group CTIO and group CAIO at Sanlam; and Werner Leithgöb, IT director for Southern Africa at Lactalis.

For the Public Sector CIO of the Year finalists, the shortlist features Maletsema Phofu, CIO at the University of Johannesburg; Pandelani Munyai, CIO at Transnet; Sylvia Sathekge, CIO at the National Health Laboratory Service; Tandile Stuurman, CIO at the Department of Public Service and Administration; and Tumelo Zwane, Deputy Director General: ICT at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. These individuals have been recognized for their significant contributions to public service technology initiatives, underscoring the critical role of IT leadership in governmental and parastatal organizations.

Following their selection from a robust pool of nominations, the shortlisted candidates will now advance to the next phase of the awards program, which entails a series of in-depth interviews. This crucial stage allows the judging panel to gain a deeper understanding of each finalist's strategic vision and operational impact. The primary focus of the assessment will be on the leadership demonstrated by these executives in their organization’s enterprise technology achievements over the past year, alongside other specific criteria.

The esteemed judging panel comprises a mix of industry veterans and editorial experts. Notably, two previous winners of the 2025 CIO of the Year Awards, Tando Luyaba, CIO of the Information Regulator, and Khomotso Molabe, group CIO for personal and private banking at Standard Bank, lend their expertise to the evaluation process. They are joined by Matthew Burbidge, the editor of Brainstorm, and Ranka Jovanovic, ITWeb’s senior consulting editor, ensuring a well-rounded and informed assessment.

The culmination of this rigorous evaluation will be the announcement of the winners. The successful candidates will be revealed on October 22nd during the prestigious Brainstorm CIO Banquet, an event that celebrates excellence in the South African technology leadership landscape. This ceremony marks the final step in recognizing the most impactful CIOs across both the private and public sectors.

The annual ITWeb Brainstorm CIO of the Year awards serve as a vital platform for acknowledging the strategic importance of Chief Information Officers and their teams within the South African economy. As Brainstorm editor Matthew Burbidge observed, despite the diverse organizational contexts, CIOs frequently encounter shared challenges, particularly concerning return on investment (ROI) and the imperative for rapid execution of technological initiatives. This commonality underscores the complex environment in which these leaders operate.

Burbidge also highlighted the fascinating array of candidates, the varied nature of the challenges they confront, and the rich tapestry of innovative technology solutions being implemented across different sectors. This perspective emphasizes the dynamic and evolving role of the CIO, who must constantly adapt to new demands while driving digital transformation. The recognition bestowed by these awards not only celebrates individual achievement but also elevates the profile of the entire ICT profession, inspiring future generations of technology leaders.

This article reports on industry awards for technology executives and does not present any direct actionable legal or compliance implications for lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via ITWeb Brainstorm