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Strategic finance and advisory firm Pragmatic Thinking adds its name to the impressive lineup of partners gearing up for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October.

FirstRand Namibia CFO Lizette Smit once imagined a very different career as a chef. Instead, she found her way into finance, where curiosity, resilience and a willingness to keep pushing herself shaped a career that has already included one CFO role at 27 and another at one of Namibia’s biggest banks

Trellidor has announced the appointment of Jennifer Erasmus as its chief financial officer and executive director, effective 1 July.

Success is not just hard work and long hours. 10X Investments CFO Jade Longano, says it's also about being at the right place at the right time.

Preshanta Govender has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards for her role as chief finance and value management officer at Standard Bank South Africa.

Claims and ancillary services provider Brolink has announced the appointment of Lerato Luula as its new chief financial officer, with effect from April.

“Leave a place better than you found it.” This simple mantra drives CFO Ratang Icho-Molebatsi’s approach to her role. Whether she is advocating for a stronger community of CFOs in Botswana or investing in professional coaching, her focus remains on building systems and people that thrive long after her tenure.

JSE-listed mining group Tharisa has announced the appointment of Jacques Breytenbach as its new chief finance officer designate, with effect from 1 May.

Much Asphalt FD Tommie Koeries had a 10-year plan pinned to his cupboard when he was still at varsity. It included a gap year to gain experience and find a wife.

For most CFOs, revenue risk is framed in familiar terms: macroeconomic conditions, tariff decisions, credit control and collection strategies. Yet, as Kevin Jacoby, CFO of the City of Cape Town, makes clear, there is a far more operational but equally powerful lever at play: service delivery quality.

Nilisha Padayachee has been nominated for the 2026 CFO Awards for her role as chief financial officer at Bidvest McCarthy.

Ricardo Sardien’s rise to CFO is a testament to the power of structured discipline and the relentless pursuit of personal growth over environmental odds. He demonstrates that leadership is built through incremental improvement and the wisdom to prioritise effectiveness over simply being right.

After an impressive eight-year climb through the ranks from project accountant, globally-experienced CA(SA) Melani De Castro has officially stepped into the chief financial officer role at JSE-listed group Crookes Brothers.

Mutual financial services company PPS adds its name to the impressive line-up of partners gearing up for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October.

He memorised the Quran at 12, skipped a grade, and once went behind a café counter in Mauritius to show a barista how to steam milk properly. Finance boss Faheem Sarwan does not do half-measures – whether it's latte art, crisis management, or steering half a billion rand in revenue.

The CFO South Africa Cape Town Summit returned to the Mother City on 16 April, bringing together the city’s finance leaders in the elevated calm of 180 Lounger.

During an exclusive dinner in Johannesburg about the art of scaling in a rapidly changing world, the conversation shifted to how businesses are adapting to Gen Z’s in the workplace and in the markets.

From Kitchener in Canada to Dublin in Ireland before landing a plum job as chief financial officer of the Namibia Institute of Pathology, Scholastika Mwetulundila’s meteoric career path is not what she thought it would be.

From banking to investment teams to a fintech operating across Africa, Jade Longano had done almost every other job before stepping into the CFO chair. She describes most of it as figuring it out as she went.

On 16 April, the CFO South Africa community will gather at 180 Lounger in Cape Town's CBD for an exclusive summit titled NextGen Finance. The event will bring together the country's most influential finance leaders to discuss the evolution of finance.

Fully accredited tuition provider IBTC adds its name to the impressive line-up of partners gearing up for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October.

When routine safety checks shut down one of the world's most remote airports, a four-day birding trip became a two-week lesson in resilience, community and finding opportunity in the unexpected.

CFO Alex Smith walked into Edinburgh University planning to argue cases, he walked out ready to close them. The numbers, it turns out, had always had the stronger argument.

Global accounting member association AICPA and CIMA has signed up as a Platinum partner for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October.

Big Four firms trained him. The world tempted him. But Batsirai Pfigirai had a different calculus – one that led him to become the CFO reshaping Namibia’s postal future.

OneStream is the only enterprise finance platform that seamlessly unifies all financial and operational data, embeds AI to boost productivity, and adapts to fit your unique needs. Microsoft Partner of the Year and five-time leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, we know that finance teams need AI powered by verified data and trusted sources, ensuring full transparency and security.

Easter offers a rare pause in the relentless pace of corporate life. It’s a chance to trade spreadsheets for spirituality, boardrooms for family tables and deadlines for deep breaths. For finance leaders, it’s not just a long weekend – it’s a deliberate reset that fuels the year ahead.

Afrirent CFO Shadi Makhuvele is preparing to deliver the Seven Sayings sermon this Good Friday, balancing her executive duties with deep community commitment. While the upcoming Easter period brings no real break for her family, the holiday offers a chance to reset together – complete with soccer, braais, and oxtail on Sunday.

Most companies keep the CEO and CFO in separate seats for good reason. Yet in emerging markets, the distance between growth and durability has always been an illusion—one that punishes misalignment quickly and quietly. Here, Adrian Maizey, CEO and CFO of Rand Capital, unpacks what holding both perspectives taught him about building where currency volatility, infrastructure gaps, and thin capital markets make the rules.

Software solutions provider Workday has signed up as a Gold partner for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place on 22 October.

Philile initially wanted to study fine art, but her father persuaded her to do a BCom instead. Unexpectedly, she mastered the art of numbers and has never looked back.

Finance veteran Shadi Makhuvele has been appointed as the new group chief financial officer of Afrirent Holdings, bringing nearly 25 years of experience to the company as it expands beyond fleet management.

From making history in Mbombela when she became a CFO at 26, to hailing from one of South Africa’s most storied dynasties, Mintek CFO Thembelihle Mjaji-Mbatha has dedicated her life to service in the public sector.

On 19 March, CFO South Africa hosted an exclusive dinner at The Westcliff’s Cellar Door in Johannesburg, bringing together finance leaders for lively discussions on recognising when growth begins to stagger, resetting capital allocation according to scale, building systems and teams that grow sustainably, and protecting value while pursuing ambition.

After an 11-year tenure steering the company through significant change, Nampak CFO Glenn Fullerton will step down from his role.

During the week, Bank Windhoek CFO Zenaune Kamberipa masters the intellectual rigour of finance. His weekends are reserved for matters of the heart and tending cattle.

Former Astral Foods group FM Dries Ferreira has taken up two new roles at KAP, bringing with him extensive executive experience and an entrepreneurial background.

When 2025 CFO Awards nominee David Chadinha was eight years old, he set his sights on becoming a listed CFO. He achieved that dream at 35. But dreams don’t always pan out the way it’s envisioned. It takes discipline, resilience and people-first leadership that turns ambition into a dream realised.

The 2026-2027 National Budget signals a strategic shift towards private-sector collaboration to overcome the balance sheet constraints of state-owned entities. By prioritising infrastructure investment and maintaining fiscal discipline, the government aims to lift GDP growth toward three percent over the medium term.

Mary-Anne Musekiwa has taken up a new CFO role at Orbis Investments after serving seven years at Coronation Fund.

PSG Group investment executive Dries Mellet has been appointed as the new financial director of Zeder, replacing Johann le Roux, who stepped down on 28 February.

Trained in Indian classical music, finance leader Ravi Rugbeer has performed on global stages and brings the precision of a drummer to the boardroom.

The leading financial scenario planning, budgeting and reporting platform has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place on 22 October.

Nico Nieuwenhuis began his new chapter as head of finance Africa in Aggreko in January, bringing with him more than three decades of cross-industry financial leadership experience spanning auditing, mining, petroleum, IT and consulting.

Becoming a partner at a major accounting firm is a path that only a few will ever get to walk. Yet Botswana’s group finance director of Sefalana Group Mohamed Osman found himself turning down the role twice.

Managing large volumes of cash is tricky in any business. Glory CASHINFINITY™ Technology is helping cash-bashed businesses reconcile their books with ease and less hassle. Here is the case study with Roots Butchery in eMalahleni.

Around his 40th birthday, Patensie Citrus CFO Bennie Hancke found himself reflecting on his life’s work and journey. While he is professionally successful and settled, he realised that being comfortable can lead to complacency, replacing growth. This insight reignited his commitment to complete his chartered accountant qualification.

His departure marks the close of a 14-year chapter that began on 1 May 2012, when he joined the Group as CFO.

Western Cape finance leaders gathered for an evening of high-level peer engagement at The Chef's Table in Cape Town.

On 25 February, CFO South Africa hosted an exclusive dinner at The Chef’stable Cape Town, bringing together finance leaders for lively discussions on how discourse in global geopolitics is increasingly shaping local financial outcomes.

The award-winning cloud-native platform is among an impressive lineup of partners gearing up for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October 2026.

Rofhiwa Irene Singo, CFO at the Department of Justice and Correctional Services; Alex Smith, CFO at e4; Masilo Makhura, CFO at the Department of Public Service and Administration; and Devrani Moonsamy, head of finance at The Ombud Council share what they would like to hear from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

The evening of 19 February marked the beginning of Namibia’s entry into Executive Communities, as an elite group of nearly 30 chief financial officers gathered for the country’s first CFO event.

Karine’s start in finance was far from straightforward. Despite having lived in South Africa since her childhood, the DRC-born finance leader struggled to gain access to major audit firms.

Namibia’s Inaugural CFO Dinner Highlights Nearly 30 of Namibia’s leading finance executives gathered at the Hilton Windhoek for the country’s first-ever CFO dinner. Hosted by Executive Communities, the evening provided a rare platform for leaders from organisations such as Standard Bank, Nampower and Bank of Namibia to engage as peers and discuss the future of the profession.

Megan moves into the chief financial officer position after serving as the group’s COO

Martin brings more than three decades of banking and financial services experience, including previous senior leadership roles at Postbank and Deutsche Bank locally and abroad.

As funding volatility, regulatory complexity and persistent misconceptions intensify pressure on South Africa’s NGO sector, CFOs are stepping into a more strategic role than ever before. A sustainable funding model for 2026 and beyond now demands full cost recovery, diversified income streams, sophisticated compliance and technology-driven financial management.

The leading provider of audit and financial reporting software adds its name to the impressive lineup of partners gearing up for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October 2026.

From stumbling into an attempted coup in her second job, to a baptism of fire at Vodacom, financial director Kayley Beattie has mastered a work-life balance, from wearing many hats in her job, to making time for family and personal growth.

Leadership is not unlike medicine: a responsible doctor does not prescribe treatment without a proper diagnosis. In business, urgency and expectation often tempt CFOs to act before fully understanding the problem.

Aimee has been with the firm since 2007 and has held several senior positions across Coronation-related entities.

Top finance executives gathered in Sandton for the first CFO Summit of 2026, exchanging practical insights on capital allocation, AI adoption, organisational culture and the changing role of finance leaders as strategic change agents.

A look at CFO South Africa Return on CapExcellence Summit, where senior finance leaders came together for candid conversations on capital discipline, execution and the evolving role of the CFO.

Wilson is an accomplished finance executive with a career spanning more than eight years within the Standard Bank Group.

Libstar CFO Terri Ladbrooke reflects on her early years, career navigation and rise through the finance ranks. From a childhood in Pietermaritzburg to leading the finance function of a dynamic consumer goods group, her journey is one of determination, learning, and leadership through authenticity.

Liquidity is not binary. Treating all cash as if it were required immediately may protect against risk, but it can also quietly erode value. Mokgadi Skwambane, Head of Corporate Business Development at Sasfin Asset Managers shares insight on why idle cash doesn’t serve business needs.

The 2026 CFO Summit will bring together some of the country’s top finance leaders to discuss managing today’s business challenges, working together more effectively and adapting quickly in a fast-changing world.

Nominations for the 2026 CFO Awards remain open until 30 April 2026, giving colleagues and peers more time to recognise the most outstanding CFO and finance leaders in the industry.

Sasha Brown starts a new chapter in Melbourne as finance director for Champion Petfoods Australia.

MagicOrange has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place on 22 October 2026.

PepsiCo South Africa CFO Pankaj Chugh takes 150 to 200 mindful breaths a day, an essential part of a lifelong commitment to spirituality. It is this commitment, combined with his financial expertise, that has seen him drive digitilisation, data-led decisions and team development at one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies.

The social justice company adds its name to the impressive lineup of partners gearing up for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 October 2026.

Raj brings 20 years of experience to his new role at the data centre operator.

The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) has signed up as a Silver partner for the 2026 Finance Indaba taking place on 22 October 2026.

Andile has over a decade of experience in assurance and internal audit.

An elite group of at least 30 of Botswana’s top financial officers from medium to large firms got together for the first historic gathering of the country's finance chiefs, under the Executive Communities banner.

Sayurie Naidoo’s appointment as finance chief of Valterra Platinum coincided with another life-changing event – finding out she was pregnant with her first child. She has been instrumental in guiding Valterra Platinum through its demerger and subsequent listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Henry will lead the poultry producer’s finance division before CFO Johan Geel officially takes over.

Pretty will fill a key role, which has been vacant for over a year, at the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) as of February.

Bothwell, winner of the 2025 CFO South Africa Finance & ESG Award, begins his new chapter at the mining giant in London.

Standard Bank CFVO, Dr Arno Daehnke, who plays the cello and admires modern art, believes good leadership takes courage, curiosity, skill and heart.

Former Bidvest Protea Coin CFO Helen Yiga; Metrobus CFO Luyanda Gidini and aspiring CFO and 2025 trainee accountant Sitholile Sithole, share their journeys – from accounting students to chartered accountants. They also reflect on why the CFO role is more than just cool!

Rajiv officially heads up the finance department after serving two years as a fractional CFO.

Deloitte Africa’s Andries van den Berg, Financial Transformation Leader, and Anaplan EMEA MD Dayne Turbitt show how connected finance breaks down silos, links strategy to measurable value, and equips CFOs to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) CFO Okuhle Sidumane is confident that balance will be restored at the agency within the next three years, after a difficult financial year.

Thembelihle brings over 16 years of experience from the private and public sectors to her new role.

Cell C CFO El Kope isn’t easily fazed and is a firm believer in the ability to self-charge. She reflects on a career defined by challenging environments, cultural adaptability, and a leadership style that she describes as leading from the middle.

CFOs need to exercise their pivotal power to influence organisational strategy and to ensure that they curate and enforce pre-eminent mechanisms for sustainability and encourage active economic participation of all in the ecosystem.

Nelly Kiogora Toroitich takes on her new role in Johannesburg after serving as finance director at Unilever East Africa.

Former Bidvest Protea Coin CFO Helen Yiga; Metrobus CFO Luyanda Gidini and aspiring CFO and 2025 Global Changemaker Sitholile Sithole, share their perspectives on the transformation of the finance chief role, what the CFO of tomorrow might look like – and, is it a cool place to be?

From Cape Town to London and back, Michelle Isaacs’s 25-year journey with BP is a story of steady growth, intentional choices and unwavering support. Now CFO for BP Southern Africa (bpSA), she credits her servant leadership style and her husband’s selfless sacrifice, for helping her rise while staying true to her values.

From tax collector to FNB Eswatini CFO, ‘fairly chilled guy’ and Kaizer Chiefs supporter Njabulo Dlamini shares how grabbing opportunities has been crucial to his success.

CFOs across sectors are championing pragmatic, people-centred digital transformation, balancing AI, data innovation and trust with strong ethical leadership.

As 2025 draws to a close after a trying economic year, finance leaders across sectors are looking ahead to 2026 with a renewed focus on balance, execution and sustainable growth. Finance leaders share what they are hoping for in the year ahead.

Retail, engineering and mining finance leaders are demonstrating how purpose-driven strategies can accelerate sustainable growth and long-term organisational value.

From Mamelodi to the C-suite, South Africa’s leading women CFOs offered practical wisdom on mentorship, visibility, resilience and navigating power in modern finance.

From executive days to transformative summits, CFOs across South Africa debated growth, youth unemployment, sustainability and the evolving finance profession.

From conservation to social justice and multinational expansion, CFOs across South Africa are proving that strategy grounded in purpose can drive long-term value.

From green steel to sustainable finance, CFOs across South Africa are reshaping ESG delivery through long-term thinking, innovation and purpose-driven leadership.

Johan is an accomplished finance executive who most recently served as CFO at diversified agriculture group, Afgri.

Eswatini Revenue Service CFVO Dr Thobile Dlamini is redefining the CFVO role through her pioneering work in public-sector financial wellness. Her research, programmes and national outreach place employee wellbeing at the centre of financial leadership, creating a blueprint where stronger people drive stronger institutions and long-term fiscal health.

Lerena Olivier puts a high price tag on personal wellbeing – and as the CFO’s role extends to more than just number-crunching, self-care becomes critical to the overall performance of a business. For Pick n Pay’s finance chief, sustaining motivation is essential to moving forward with purpose and people remain at the heart of her leadership philosophy.

From performance guarantees to trade credit, Pieter Dingemans, head of credit specialties IMEA at Marsh, explains the benefits of freeing up capital for growth.

Gender-based violence (GBV) has become a defining corporate risk, demanding strategic financial leadership. CFOs are now central to reframing GBV as a material risk, a governance priority and a fiduciary obligation. Their role extends far beyond compliance, shaping how organisations quantify, manage and mitigate both the human and economic costs of GBV, writes Dumisani Dlamini, CFO at the Soul City Institute for Social Justice.

Zeda has appointed experienced finance leader Tsogo Rooi as its chief financial officer, bringing extensive expertise from the automotive and professional services sectors.

Senwes Group has announced the appointment of veteran chartered accountant Derek Engelbrecht as its chief financial officer, effective 6 January 2026.

Sandvik CFO Nerissa Jalim has built her career across logistics, manufacturing and industrial engineering. In this feature, she reflects on transformation in finance, digital evolution, sustainability and the purpose-driven leadership principles shaping the modern CFO.

From quiet getaways and “Friendmas” rituals, to big family spreads and overseas adventures, South Africa’s finance leaders are pressing pause to recharge, reflect and reconnect.

Pick n Pay has appointed seasoned financial leader Tina Rookledge to its executive team as part of a structured succession plan. She will step into the CFO role after the August 2026 AGM, taking over from long-serving finance head Lerena Olivier.

In a tightening economic climate, CFOs are being pushed to deliver more with less, and the message is clear: cash is king. Financial leaders must shift from static, budget-focused planning to a dynamic, cash-driven approach that prioritises agility, innovation and disciplined cost management.

Tata International Africa Distribution has appointed seasoned finance executive Rochelle Gabriels as its CFO, marking her return to the corporate arena after a short career break.

Brand South Africa has appointed seasoned public-sector finance leader and 2025 CFO of the Year nominee Sherylee Moonsamy as its chief financial officer. With a career spanning senior roles across national institutions and municipal entities, she steps into the role with deep experience in governance, strategy and financial stewardship.

Incoming Ekurhuleni city manager and 2025 CFO of the Year nominee Kagiso Lerutla reflects on his journey, the weight of public trust and how he plans to build a more agile, accountable and investment-ready city.

South Africa’s corporates hold record levels of cash, a sign of strength but also of deep-seated caution. Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings says low growth, infrastructure constraints and accountant-driven leadership have shaped a conservative corporate culture. Unlocking this capital, he notes, will require renewed confidence, stronger partnerships, and a shift from risk avoidance to opportunity-led investment.

In the high-stakes world of finance, where precision and performance often overshadow personal wellbeing, mental health is not a luxury, it is a fiduciary duty. Experience within senior finance roles shows that strong support systems, including family, mentors and peer networks, can anchor a leader through intense professional pressure. These structures offer perspective, guidance and connection, ensuring that wellbeing is treated as a strategic imperative rather than an afterthought.

Core banking modernisation is no longer just a tech upgrade, it’s a strategic transformation shaping whether banks stay relevant in a digital, customer-driven era. Deloitte’s Dirk Kotzé says success hinges on clear alignment, disciplined measurement and strong CFO leadership. “Core modernisation is like steering the Titanic, once it’s moving, it’s hard to stop,” he warns.