A panel of senior finance leaders discussed the challenges women face in reaching executive positions and strategies for success at the recent 2025 Finance Indaba during a session titled Beyond the glass ceiling: Tales from Women CFOs who broke the mould.

As organisations grapple with mounting reporting demands, AI offers efficiency gains, but only when implemented with robust governance frameworks

Modern finance leaders need to concentrate less on spreadsheets and more on the people who make up their team – and themselves.

Whether acquiring physical assets, consultancy firms, or building in-house solutions, return on investment remains the critical measure of success.

Fraud incidents are rising worldwide. In Southern Africa, the Fraud Prevention Service reported a 32 percent increase in fraud cases for 2024. However, advanced software solutions can effectively combat this growing threat, enhancing profitability and supporting operational growth by streamlining processes to help companies bring products to market faster.

DJ takes over the position after an eight-month personal break.

Okuhle Sidumane has her sights set on integration and good governance, as she begins her tenure as finance chief at the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

Nthanyiseni joins the education institution from the Durban University of Technology.

Discovery’s decision to partner with OneStream for its major hardware infrastructure project came after a careful assessment of its outdated financial consolidation tool.

Founder and CEO of Decision Inc Nicholas Bell discusses the issues surrounding the introduction of a new AI system and how this would effect the company's operations.

The JSE was the place to be for leaders in the finance world on 23 October, as it was the venue of Workday’s Transforming Finance: The Future of Financial Services with Workday Financials. 

The Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) has as its vision to facilitate the achievement of world-class finance and accounting services skills. CFO SA asked its CFO, Zakariya Alli, about trends in the sector.

AI should be seen as your new colleague, says Arthur Goldstuck.

Sage VP of Finance for Africa and Middle East regions, Jordaan Burger talks about Sage's AI technology offerings.

Risk is an issue that many companies operating across the world need to manage. In particular, when running a business in Africa, unique challenges need to be carefully managed, attendees at the 2024 Finance Indaba heard.

As delegates at the 2024 Finance Indaba heard, being a CFO at a startup means having to deal with every single aspect of the financial role, from tax returns and accounting, through to providing strategic direction. Sometimes, it also means going out and buying the milk.

Delegates at the 2024 Finance Indaba heard how Zeda, best known for Avis rentals, successfully unbundled from Barloworld, as well as how Bridgestone South Africa went from making a loss to being a key part of the global company.

Simbarashe Madzana has found his niche at Meals on Wheels Community Services, where he is finance director of the Western Cape region. A humanitarian at heart, here he shepherds money to greener pastures – the intended beneficiaries – and is accountable to various stakeholders.

This is a remarkable tale of ‘just a boy from KZN’ with a passion for education, philanthropy and social work.

Having had to pay her way through university after her mom, who was single-handedly responsible for raising her and her older brother passed away, Romy Maree is now helping others who are also disadvantaged because of a lack of resources to enter the working world.

Sven Axelrad's double life revealed in fiction, an accountant by day, rockstar-turned-author by night.

BMI Coverland CFO Tammy Narain explores some of the challenges the struggling manufacturing industry is currently facing, and explains why harnessing the power of synergies will save it.

Broadcasting, television, and media have changed significantly over the last couple of years as multiple crises and the increasing adoption of technology set new precedents for entertainment, says Urban Brew Studios CFO Lufuno Siphugu, who has creatively chartered a course through the industry.

Michelle de Lange helps to build young minds as a finance teacher and an accounting programme coordinator at the University of the Free State. She also builds houses in her spare time.

At CFO Day, executives shared how unique boardroom cultures influence their companies, highlighting the balance between creativity and financial integrity.

Transparency and truth are vital ingredients for any company’s success, both internally and externally – and needs to extend all the way to board level, delegates at CFO Day heard.

Graham Mears, CFO and partner at M&C Saatchi Abel, has gone from the big hole in Kimberley to a 17-year career in London, and has just implemented a massive MBO deal.

Christine Buys, a chartered accountant at ROMPCO, took a sabbatical and left her position as a manager in finance covering the retail business in Sasol Energy to consider her ideal role.

Having recently bought e-commerce retailer Drink Nil, serial entrepreneur and CA(SA) Ayanda Mvandaba has seen an opportunity for South Africa to compete in the international non-alcoholic drinks market.

Bestmed CFO Jessogan Chetty has spent the bulk of his career working in the education and health sectors, where he knows he can make a difference.

Paul Masson pitched up at Deloitte for his articles 15 years ago in a lime green shirt, and still ensures he leads with his unique personality today as the CFO of Float.

Tinyiko Sihlangu has always been interested in understanding the entire workings of an organisation, not just the finances, and reveals how this helps her to add greater strategic value as the FD of Royal Bafokeng Holdings.

Estate Living CEO Louise Martin has had to serve as the company’s CFO, and uses this different perspective, as well as her past experience, to deliver value and growth.

During a CFO Summit in Cape Town, panellists Aneshree Naidoo, Danya von Scheliha, Rick Martin and Shoki Ralebepa unpack their unique hiring approaches, resulting in agile and adaptable finance teams.

Making a difference in and having an enduring impact on people’s lives and broader society is CA Bonga Mokoena’s idea of being a good leader, and he tries to do this as the CEO of BDO South Africa.

Entrepreneur and CA Hazel Bango-Moyo believes that small businesses are how South Africa will grow and has dedicated her career to helping them achieve their goals.

AYO Technology Solutions’ CFO Pride Guzha has spent his first year in the role restoring the company’s reputation by focusing on reporting and collaboration.

CA Cyril Madiba’s greatest achievement is the work he has done in helping young people move into the formal economy.

CFOs Steven Kilfoil and Nerissa Jalim explain how using their finance leadership experience and skills, combined with their personal passion to drive more meaningful impact, has resulted in them giving back to society.

CFOs can play a vital role in supporting the integration of social impact into how businesses operate and report to shareholders, says Cathy Duff, Trialogue director.

After 12 years at Sanlam Investment Group, learning from the company’s CFOs, Colleen Wagner was ready to take the next step in her career and become a CFO too.

Shakira Naidoo, a CA(SA) with almost 10 years’ experience in providing professional services, follows the Hindu practice of seva, a philosophy of giving without expecting anything in return.

Business manager to the group CFO Linda Dodgen reveals how being a generalist will help her become an empowering CFO herself.

Solomon Mphakathi battled to afford tertiary education when he was younger, but managed – through a combination of guts and determination – to attain his current role as business unit leader of finance at the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).

Having worked hard to qualify as a CA(SA), Rupesh Govan’s career took him into the banking industry and around the world. Now Investec’s FD, he reflects on how he got to be the leader he is today.

During a CFO South Africa webinar, Verto experts Tim Rudman and Ola Oyetayo, as well as Hatch Africa CFO Craig Sumption, unpacked the challenges and possible solutions when it comes to cross-border payments.

Experts, including FEM’s Yusuf Bodiat, Momentum’s Estelle and Alteryx’s Russ Mills, discuss the benefits automation holds for CFOs when it comes to planning for the future during a CFO South Africa webinar.

During a webinar, Philip van Zyl, Sulene Botha and Allan Gibbon reveal how CFOs can harness the full potential of technology to make better decisions.

Johann Steyn started his first business at the age of 14. Today he is the CFO of Bridgement.

The Bidvest Automotive CFO isn’t afraid of a challenge, and brings her fearlessness to her leadership role.

Otsile believes the market has come to understand that being listed on A2X adds value for companies.

ACCA South Africa's Kada Phiri calls on accountants to play a role in improving the future by helping to build a better world.

Deloitte's Siliziwe Mafika reveals how CFOs can transition into their roles to take on these challenges.

The CTSE CFO first got an opportunity to learn through SAICA, and has kept on learning throughout his career.

A vital part of ensuring gender equality is encouraging women to plan for their financial futures.

A panel discussion of some of South Africa’s top women executives looked at what it takes for women to succeed.