Minerals Council South Africa CFO Tima Norkie has highlighted the evolving role of CFOs as strategic enablers of growth, stressing the importance of balancing governance, risk management and business agility, at the 2026 CFO Day in Johannesburg.

Taryn Woodbridge has been appointed CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, following a career spanning more than two decades within the organisation.

Thiru Naicker will take over as Nampak’s CFO and executive director from 1 August, succeeding Glenn Fullerton.

Yoco co-founder Bradley Wattrus will once again take up the role as head of finance.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this exclusive Q&A, Sage vice-president for medium business, Africa & Middle East, Gerhard Hartman unpacks how AI, automation and real-time data are transforming the CFO’s role from historical reporter to strategic architect. Drawing on Sage’s latest research and success stories from ATKV, Wild Eye and Q4 Fuel, he explains why South African finance leaders are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformation, and what the CFO of 2030 will look like.

Westfalia Fruit Africa has appointed Bongani Manzi as its new finance director.

Massmart has appointed seasoned finance executive Tendani Sikhwivhilu as its new vice-president.

Nominations for the 2026 CFO Awards are officially open. This is your opportunity to honour the finance leaders whose vision, resilience and innovation have helped steer their organisations, and South Africa’s economy, forward over the past year.

The public sector was squarely in the spotlight at the 2025 CFO Awards, with City of Cape Town CFO Kevin Jacoby walking away with the CFO of the Year title – as well as the Compliance & Governance Award.

Under the glittering Johannesburg skyline, the country’s top finance leaders gathered in the Polo Room at Sandton’s Inanda Club for the annual CFO Awards – a night of glamour, gratitude and inspiration. From powerful acceptance speeches to Akani Simbine’s moving fireside chat, the event honoured the people and purpose driving South Africa’s financial excellence.

Kevin Jacoby, CFO of the City of Cape Town, has been named South Africa’s CFO of the Year at the 2025 CFO Awards.

Barloworld has announced the appointment of Relebohile Mosaletseng Sehoole Malahleha as its new group finance director, effective 1 December 2025, following the retirement of Nopasika Vuyelwa Lila after a successful six-year tenure.

Etienne Raubenheimer, executive head and CFO of CFO Services at Outsourced CFO, believes the finance function has evolved beyond reporting and compliance. Today’s CFOs, he says, are strategic partners who create meaning, drive growth and help business leaders make better decisions.

After serving as the company’s CFO for more than two years, Bryan has now been appointed as managing director of Reflex.

CFO Dineo Molefe has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

CFO Kagiso Lerutla has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

CFO Bongani Ngcongo has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

CFO Boipelo Lekubo has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

CFO Joy Malete has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

Industry experts Ashley Francis and Rob van den Wijngaard unpacked how leaders can transform complexity into clarity by using data as a compass, while keeping people and culture at the centre of digital transformation.

Astral Foods has announced that its CFO, Dries Ferreira, will step down from his role at the end of January 2026 to take up a new opportunity in the industrial sector.

As head of finance at Investec Life, Roxane Leita has spent nearly a decade shaping the finance function from the ground up. Her journey is one of precision, resilience, and innovation, balancing the centuries-old foundations of accounting with the dynamic possibilities of digital transformation.

At the recent 2025 Finance Indaba, DRDGold’s finance leaders revealed how their Workiva modernisation project turned reporting chaos into clarity – saving days of work, enhancing accuracy and turning accountants into strategic business partners.

Experienced finance leader Zakariya Alli has been appointed as the new chief financial officer of Nexia SAB&T.

Newly appointed Planet42 CEO, Marc Alvey, is on a mission to make mobility more accessible through disciplined capital allocation, team empowerment and a people-focused leadership style. Marc was appointed as CEO of Planet42 as of 1 September, 2024.

At the 2025 Finance Indaba, Mercedes-Benz CFO Taryn Woodbridge shared how empowering finance teams to experiment with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, without waiting for IT, sparked a cultural shift, reduced fear of digitalisation and boosted efficiency across the organisation.

At the 2025 Finance Indaba, Acumatica’s regional head Bernard Ford delivered a thought-provoking session on how artificial intelligence is reshaping business at lightning speed, and why CFOs must act now to harness its power rather than fear it.

At the 2025 Finance Indaba, senior finance leaders shared their insights on how to build agile, innovative teams that embrace change. From hiring for emotional intelligence to fostering psychological safety and modernising systems, CFOs unpacked what it truly takes to future-proof the finance function.

SAP Fioneer joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Platinum partner, leading the next generation of financial services through open, technology-powered innovation designed to create a resilient and connected ecosystem.

After playing a pivotal role in scaling and strengthening fintech company e4 through a period of significant growth as its CFO, Adri Führi decided to take a break. Now, the finance leader is back – in a new role and with renewed vigor.

As a Silver partner of the 2025 Finance Indaba, SynergERP helps organisations achieve operational excellence through intelligent business management solutions that streamline processes and enhance financial visibility.

Bastion, in partnership with Workiva, joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Platinum partner, transforming stakeholder communication through integrated reporting and award-winning design that builds trust and transparency across audiences.

Anchor Capital joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, offering agile and personalised wealth management solutions that combine global expertise with deep local insight to drive long-term investment success.

Page Automation joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, empowering South African businesses with advanced systems integration and automation solutions that drive efficiency and performance.

Fasken joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, delivering forward-thinking legal and commercial solutions that help businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes with creativity and confidence.

Khumalo Xaba Xulu Auditors (KXX) joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, combining auditing excellence with digital innovation to offer transparent, high-quality financial solutions that build trust and accountability.

SAIPA joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, continuing its mission to advance South Africa’s accounting profession through transformation, advocacy and continuous professional development for over 10,000 members.

PPS Insurance Company joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, serving South Africa’s graduate professionals with tailored insurance, investment and healthcare products built on a unique mutual profit-sharing model.

TruCloud ERP joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, delivering flexible, cloud-native enterprise solutions that help modern businesses scale efficiently and operate securely in the digital era.

As a Silver partner at the 2025 Finance Indaba, ADP continues to redefine the future of work with innovative, people-centred HR and business solutions backed by more than 75 years of global expertise.

Expeditus, a Gold partner in the 2025 Finance Indaba line-up, is empowering organisations to harness the power of data through world-class business intelligence and analytics that transform information into strategic growth.

Binance joins the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, driving the global digital finance revolution through a comprehensive cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem that empowers users to participate in the evolving digital economy.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has announced the appointment of Valdene Reddy as its new group chief executive officer, effective 1 April 2026.

EFT Corporation has appointed seasoned finance leader Adri Führi as its new group chief financial officer, effective immediately.

Standard Bank Group CFVO Dr Arno Daehnke says African banks must take the lead in mobilising capital for the continent’s infrastructure and climate transition, while also fostering strong internal cultures built on psychological safety.

Putprop has appointed Alicia Nolte as its new executive director and financial director, effective 1 January 2026, succeeding James Smith who is retiring.

NTT Data has appointed Jafar Kuruniyan as chief financial officer for its Middle East and Africa (MEA) operations.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has unveiled a redesigned Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) syllabus to equip finance professionals with the skills needed for a fast-changing, technology-driven and sustainability-focused economy. The overhaul reflects shifting global labour trends, the growing impact of AI and the urgent need for strategic, analytical and human-centred finance leadership.

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) will join the Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, highlighting its role as an independent channel for taxpayers seeking redress outside of Sars’s complaint mechanisms.

ShareForce has joined the Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, showcasing its innovative incentive plan technology and global reach as part of the VAT IT Group, the world’s largest RegTech organisation.

Signature Business Solutions has signed on as a Silver partner for the Finance Indaba, bringing its proven expertise in bridging the gap between business and technology through software, advisory, and tailored services.

Decision Inc. has joined with the Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, leveraging its expertise in technology and business transformation to help organisations drive innovation and deliver meaningful change.

Cloud-based ERP leader Acumatica has joined the Finance Indaba as a Platinum partner, showcasing its scalable business management solutions designed to help companies streamline operations and gain real-time insights.

Gripp Advisory, a specialist in governance, risk, and internal control solutions, has partnered with the Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, bringing its tailored business advisory expertise to Africa’s largest finance event.

CFOs Lerena Olivier of Pick n Pay and Sayurie Naidoo of Valterra Platinum share how automation and AI are transforming finance from transaction-driven to insight-led, with technology reshaping not only processes, but also culture and strategy.

From her childhood in Lenasia shaped by a stay-at-home father and a determined mother, to steering financial turnarounds in the public sector, and now holding the CFO seat at the Market Theatre Foundation, Devi Padayachee’s career has been defined by resilience, diversity of experience and a deep belief in empowering others.

SimplePay has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner, bringing its commitment to simplifying payroll and reducing administrative burdens to Africa’s largest gathering of finance professionals.

Following the merger between Canal+ and Multichoice Group, Nicolas Dandoy has been appointed chief financial officer, succeeding Timothy Jacobs.

Heidi Koegelenberg has been named executive director and financial director of Marshall Monteagle.

Frontier has announced the appointment of Ulandy Junine Gribble as its new CFO.

CFO Jurgens Myburgh has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

Cinque, South Africa’s leading specialist in trade credit risk management, has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver partner.

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.

At a recent CFO South Africa webinar in partnership with OneStream, senior executives from Valterra Platinum and PPS shared how they are transforming finance operations with AI-driven platforms, unified data and streamlined reporting.

CFO Matshidiso Nyembe has been nominated for the 2025 CFO Awards

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.

Speaking at the annual Executive Day, Standard Bank group CFVO Arno Daehnke emphasised growth as a central priority, supported by technology investment, client focus, and active capital allocation across its diverse markets.

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.

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.

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.

CFO Sherylee Moonsamy has been nominated for the 2025 CFO Awards

Novus Holdings has announced the appointment of Kim Julies as its new group chief financial officer and executive director.

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.

From humble beginnings in Mamelodi to boardrooms shaping South Africa’s renewable clean energy future, African Rainbow Energy CFO Nakedi Ramaphakela has carved out a career defined by resilience, vision, and purpose.

Cummins Africa Middle East has appointed Prosperity Zondi as its new regional finance director.

Christiaan Barnard, the CFO of Spear Reit, has joined the list of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

British American Tobacco has appointed Javed Iqbal as interim chief financial officer following the departure of Soraya Benchikh.

Jem HR, an employee benefits and HR platform built for deskless workers on WhatsApp, has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Gold partner.

The Market Theatre Foundation has appointed Devi Padayachee as CFO. She brings extensive public sector experience, having led financial turnarounds and clean audits at the Ekurhuleni Housing Company.

After years in South Africa’s biggest banks, Avashnee Ramdial took a leap into the unknown, joining Access Bank SA as CFO to help build it from the ground up. It’s a demanding journey of transformation, growth and grit, but one she’s embracing with tenacity.

Dr Sandile Mnguni, the CFO of eThekwini municipality, has joined the list of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

Standard Bank Group chief finance and value management officer Arno Daehnke will step down at the end of 2027.

PPS Investments has announced the appointment of Sumaya Parker as its new CFO, effective July 2025.

Sage has joined the lineup for the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Diamond partner, bringing its expertise in technology solutions that empower businesses to thrive.

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.

LinkedERP has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Silver Partner, bringing its expertise in business management and supply chain transformation to Africa’s leading finance event.

Sentech has appointed Clarinda Simpson as chief financial officer.

NTT Data CFO Rebecca Pole has urged finance professionals to adopt a long-term, investment-focused mindset and to rethink traditional hiring.

More than 150 of South Africa’s top women leaders gathered at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton for an evening of bold insights, powerful reflection and purposeful connection at the 10th Annual Executive Communities Women’s Dinner.

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 Johannesburg Social Housing Company has announced the appointment of Floyd Rikhotso as its new CFO.

CFO Adele Small has joined the group of nominees for the 2025 CFO Awards.

Analytix Engine has joined the 2025 Finance Indaba as a Gold partner, bringing its data-driven expertise to Africa’s biggest finance event.

Motus Emerging Brands has welcomed Thembi Mazibuko as its new financial director.