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Measuring social impact is as crucial as finance metrics for CFOs

CFOs are under pressure to show how social impact translates into financial value. According to Gita Maharaj, CEO of Impact Institute, the challenge is to measure impact without reducing people and communities to numbers. The future of finance lies in bridging profit and purpose with integrity.

CFO Lynette Biddulph joins Cipla Africa

After more than 16 years at Sanofi South Africa, including six as CFO, Lynette Biddulph has taken on a new challenge as CFO at Cipla Africa, based in Cape Town.

CFO Vurhonga Rikhotso redefines finance leadership at Bonitas

Bonitas CFO Vurhonga Rikhotso embodies rigorous governance, coupled with a passion for fresh approaches that push finance forward. A chartered accountant with 16 years of experience in audit across both public and private sectors, Vurhonga leads with discipline, humanity and a taste for bold ideas that make healthcare more accessible.

iOCO joins 2025 Finance Indaba as Platinum partner

iOCO has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Platinum partner, strengthening its commitment to empowering finance professionals with cutting-edge technology solutions that drive efficiency, security and growth.

Digital transformation is not optional, says Nedbank CFO Mike Davis

Speaking at the 2025 Executive Day, Nedbank CFO Mike Davis outlined the financial services provider’s approach to digital transformation, emphasising co-operation between finance and technology, governance structures, and the role of AI in enhancing efficiencies and client experience.

C-suite executives break the silence on loneliness in leadership

At the 2025 Executive Communities Executive Day, EY global controlling transformation leader Ajith Haripaul unpacked the hidden pressures of leadership, calling for vulnerability and authenticity in navigating the challenges at the top.

CFO Jeshan Gajathar is building financial futures with heart at glu

From his roots in Pietermaritzburg to steering the financial strategy of one of South Africa’s boldest new insurance ventures as CFO of glu, CFO Jeshan Gajathar brings together technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and a values-driven approach to leadership, proving that finance is not just about numbers, it is about people, purpose, and building sustainable futures.

2025 Executive Day: Top leaders reimagine SA’s future

2025 Executive Day brought together top CFOs, CIOs and HR leaders under the theme Renewing our social contracts. The event tackled South Africa’s future, digital transformation, ethical leadership, menopause in the boardroom and the realities of executive loneliness.

Women CFOs offer guidance for future generations

Cell C CFO, El Kope, Bidvest Protea Coin CFO, Helen Yiga and Bonitas Medical Aid CFO, Vurhonga Rikhotso share some heartfelt lessons for young women dreaming of executive finance roles, offering guidance rooted in self-belief, mentorship, resilience and the power of collective progress.

CFO Helen Yiga balances finance, people and purpose

From a small Free State town to head of finance at Bidvest Protea Coin, Helen Yiga’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability and purpose. Drawing on over two decades of cross-industry experience, she blends sharp commercial acumen with a deep commitment to people, mentoring future finance leaders while steering the business through uncertainty, transformation and growth.

TreasuryOne joins 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner

TreasuryOne has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner and will be among the key exhibitors at the event on 16 October, showcasing its cutting-edge treasury and automation solutions to thousands of finance professionals.

The rise of the strategic EA: how AI is reshaping the CFO support role

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the modern workplace, Kim Bartman (KB), Kutual Miyeki (KM) and Saffiya Ismail (SI), executive assistants to three of South Africa’s top CFOs are finding themselves at the centre of a profound shift,from task-driven support to strategic partnership.

CFO Pitch Parade: Finance, fun and four-minute flair

Melrose Arch came alive as finance leaders and industry experts gathered for CFO South Africa’s 2025 Pitch Parade, for an evening of innovation, quickfire pitches and light-hearted networking, all under the sparkling Jozi sky.

CFO Brenda Baijnath is committed to thinking outside the box

CFO Brenda Baijnath’s story is not just about breaking glass ceilings, it’s about reimagining the room entirely. From navigating cultural expectations to leading the financial strategy at Motus Holdings, Brenda’s journey is marked by courage, clarity and a fierce commitment to authenticity.

CFO Webinar: Finance leaders the new architects of digital transformation

In a CFO South Africa webinar titled Revolutionising finance leadership in a changing world, Gerhard Hartman, regional vice president for Sage in Africa and the Middle East, shared insights from Sage’s global CFO study, highlighting how finance leaders are spearheading digital transformation, adopting AI and preparing their teams for the future.

Fathima Ebrahim’s purpose-driven rise to CFO of Rompco

Fathima Ebrahim, CFO of Rompco, charted her own path to success through grit, mentorship, and unwavering determination. She plays a strategic leadership role in one of Southern Africa’s most vital energy infrastructure projects – helping shape the region’s economic future through sustainable gas transmission.

Finance leaders step up to mentor the next generation

BP CFO Michelle Isaacs, Bidvest Protea Coin CFO Helen Yiga and Ashburton Investments CFO Meghna Ravjee are among a growing number of CFOs who believe supporting young professionals through mentorships is becoming a leadership priority.

CFO Anusha Ramraj reflects on lessons learnt in the BPO industry

CCI South Africa CFO Anusha Ramraj offers practical advice for women building careers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. From embracing unexpected opportunities to advocating for others, she shares insights on growth, mentorship and representation in leadership.

People are a CFO’s strategic advantage

Jane Waters and Tracey Rowe, co-founders of fractional HR services company 52.com, explain why business is not just about the numbers for CFOs – it’s about unlocking the value of people.

SPARK Schools CFO Brad Wentzel sheds light on restomod, rebuilding and rebranding

In the workshop and in the workplace, rebuilding isn’t just about parts or performance, it’s about identity. Brad Wentzel, finance chief of SPARK Schools, draws parallels between restoring a motorcycle and reimagining a personal brand, offering reflections on craft, authenticity and the power of intentional reinvention.

Nedbank CFO Mike Davis champions strategy and sustainability

Nedbank CFO Mike Davis’s passion for his role is evident in his numerous achievements, including being crowned CFO of the Year at the 2024 CFO Awards – as well as awards for Compliance and Governance, and Strategy and Execution. It underscores Mike’s exceptional leadership and contributions to Nedbank’s success.

Yellow Card powers cross-border payments across 20 African markets

Yellow Card helps companies to move money that otherwise may be waiting in a queue for an extended period of time – and holding up capital is no businesses’ preference. CFO South Africa spoke to Mika Thompson, the company’s vice president of finance, about its operations in some of the most challenging markets globally.

Lessons in culture, EQ and collaboration from a CFO’s journey

Transitioning from professional services into a corporate CFO role reveals that technical expertise is only part of the equation. True success lies in emotional intelligence, collaborative leadership and a deep understanding of organisational culture.

CFOs need to act decisively when navigating global market volatility

Global markets are now driven more by political shifts than economic fundamentals, says Rico Ernst, CEO of Aurora Capital SA. With US president Donald Trump’s return reshaping trade dynamics, Rico believes CFOs must move beyond traditional models and manage risk through geopolitical awareness, liquidity planning and diversified portfolios.

CFO Day: Finance leaders delve into leading decisively in a volatile world

Peter Armitage, CEO at Anchor Capital, Tarryn Sankar, head of credit and investment research at Stanlib, and Christiaan Coetzee, national placement leader at Marsh, share how, while it can feel impossible to predict the future, CFOs can lead decisively by finding opportunity in risk.

CFO Riaan Davel sees ESG as central to DRDGold’s purpose

As the CFO of DRDGold, Riaan Davel’s mission is to help roll back the environmental legacy of mining. For the 2024 CFO Finance & ESG Award winner it’s not about how quickly the mining giant can make money, but about how long they can mine - without compromising the environment.

2025 CFO Day: Leading through crisis, complexity and change

CFOs Risto Ketola and Ashona Kooblall share how bold decisions, transparency and emotional intelligence helped their organisations recover from crisis. Talking at CFO Day at the Marriott in Melrose Arch, both stressed that today’s CFO must drive value, while leading with empathy and clarity.

2025 CFO Day: Transforming finance and embracing change

Top financial leaders from across South Africa gathered at this year’s CFO Day, a high-impact event focused on the evolving role of CFOs in business transformation, AI integration and strategic leadership. From candid panel discussions to collaborative group sessions, the day explored how finance leaders are driving value through communication, innovation and reinvention.

Caseware Africa joins 2025 Finance Indaba as Gold partner

Caseware Africa – a division of AdaptIT – has stepped into the spotlight as a Gold Partner at the Finance Indaba Network, bringing cutting-edge software solutions and decades of expertise to Africa’s biggest finance stage.

CFO Luke Woodford’s African journey – from bank teller to FirstRand finance chief

Luke Woodford’s journey from part-time bank teller to CFO of FirstRand’s Broader Africa division is a story of purpose, grit and growth. Rooted in Johannesburg with early exposure to banking at FNB’s Cresta branch, his career has taken him across the continent – from Tanzania to Botswana – all while fuelling a lifelong commitment to financial inclusion.

Sandvik CFO Nerissa Jalim sheds light on ESG innovation

Sandvik CFO Nerissa Jalim outlined her approach to sustainability in the mining sector at the Treasury Leadership Forum held in Johannesburg recently. She spoke of initiatives like green steel procurement, carbide recycling, and energy-efficient engineering solutions as part of the company’s broader ESG strategy to support cleaner, safer and more efficient mining operations.

Tania Daniels joins Genasys as CFO

The newly-appointed finance leader has a range of experience across small- and medium enterprises as well as non-profits and listed companies.

Staying ahead of transfer pricing: Key trends CFOs need to know

The transfer pricing environment in South Africa is changing rapidly, influenced by global regulatory changes, economic challenges and advancements in technology. And CFOs have a role to play in keeping their companies ahead of these shifts, ensuring compliance and effective risk mitigation.

 

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