Interview

In 2019, Adrian was tasked with a mission to rescue 13 Starbucks Southern Africa stores.

Arno explains that Standard Bank plans to turn its focus to the environment and new ecosystems.

The Petrocam CFO believes challenger brands across industries have an opportunity to make inroads today.

Following on from the success of the "Reset and Grow" strategy, Momentum has launched the "Reinvent and Grow" strategy.

Eazi Access CFO David Chadinha shares his tips on how to thrive during a crisis.

As the CFO of Hyundai South Africa, Thinus gets to enjoy many perks along with the challenges in his industry.

Clarissa’s ability to channel her sense of adventure within any sphere she occupies has led to new opportunities.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies CFO Sandile Ntsele on finding success in new territories.

Lucas Ndala believes that, during times of change, people have to consider what legacy they are building.

Partner at Moore Durban says big data analytics and value-add are the future of audit.

Fikile Mhlontlo found a new purpose when tasked with returning SAA to the skies as its interim CFO.

Experienced non-executive director says audit committees play a key role in demonstrating credibility to shareholders.

Having always had a passion for the medical industry, Olivia says being the CFO of Allergan is her dream job.

Having grown up on a farm in Villiersdorp, Etienne tries to take a very pragmatic approach to his work.

Mark has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, from selling caps on the beach as a child to now building a megacity.

After working abroad for many years, Ryan McDougall returned to South Africa in 2019.

The SOLA Group CFO shares why renewable energy is important to him, and how the industry is booming.

Serisha passionately advocates for technology and its pivotal role in the success of businesses.

As the group’s first in-house CFO, Jono has been building a strong financial team within iKhokha.

Lindiwe believes she is living proof that you don’t have to be mean to lead effectively.

Thembi also enjoys letting her creativity show as Masslift Africa's head of communications and marketing.

The CFO of Redefine Properties says being a finance leader echoes the values he was raised with.

Jordaan explains that remote working has allowed him to spend more time growing and collecting cycads.

Having recently stepped into the FD role, Anabel is looking forward to navigating the changing property industry.

As the CFO, Chrisanthi has been instrumental in cementing Access Bank’s South African footprint.

As the CFO of Cape Union Mart, Landi took the opportunity to mould the role to be more people-centric.

Faheem recognised that every business required an accountant and chose to become a CA.

The Petrocam CFO unpacks his experience of expanding into markets with dominant incumbents.

Ushana Amichand reflects on her learnings about trust during her stint as a relatively young CFO.

Women should be given opportunities with full confidence that they are going to achieve and deliver, says Nopasika.

The Dimension Data MD believes that the empowerment of both women and men should be addressed.

Tamuka shares how he and his finance team navigated the challenges of the last year together.

As the only female executive at SANRAL, Inge is passionate about empowering the women around her.

Nerissa Chetty discusses how managing expectations helped her to fulfil work and personal responsibilities.

With a new job in a new industry and a new baby, Abigail has spent the last 18 months relearning.

Zoliswa has had to wear sales, risk and operation leadership hats throughout her career at G4S South Africa.

Veliswa has played a critical role in the merger of Barloworld Motor Retail and NMI Durban South Motors.

Travis Fisher is not your typical accountant – he’s also a professional waterskier.

Reeza believes that Woolworths’ investment into online services has pointed the business in a new direction.

Otsile explains that a secondary listing option creates an alternative trading venue so investors have choice.

Rochelle has driven change throughout her career with a focus on people, processes and technology.

Business is becoming increasingly complex, and audit needs to evolve accordingly, says PwC’s Dion Shango.

The CFO says regulation, governance and compliance can be a competitive advantage.

Deon Smith, CFO of Thungela Resources, shares his playbook on how to go through a demerger during a pandemic.

Capitec made sure to understand the impact of Covid-19 on its clients, and to act accordingly.

Craig has had to weather storms as he navigated Covid-19 and got his skippers license in 2020.

Grant Greeff talks about closing down his first business during Covid-19 and venturing into a new one.

Group CFO at e4, Adri Führi says embracing innovation is key to cultivating success.

The Juwi EMEA FD’s ability to easily connect with different types of people has turned out to be an asset.

Harmony Gold FD Boipelo Lekubo shares her enthusiasm for the direction the CFO role is taking.

Innocent says running a restaurant is a completely different occupation from finance and lets him be creative.

The Sappi CFO and his team introduced a new strategy that steered the company through the Covid-19 crisis.

Senele is passionate about providing a safe and nurturing environment for the young children of Osizweni.

Explore Ai CFO Richard Labuschagne explains how spreading his wings powered his abilities and career.

Murad uses his finance knowledge to steer the research and development committees at Sygnia.

BAIC CFO Buhle Hanise’s story of success drives her to pull up other aspiring female CAs.

Finding success as an outsourced CFO gives Bonnie the space to co-create thriving businesses.

A proponent of digital tech as a key enabler, Mark talks about Mr Price’s recent acquisitions and growth opportunities.

ETDP SETA CFO Nonhlanhla Mona-Dick takes her inspiration in hope and empathy from Maya Angelou.

The violence incidents experienced by some Kumba employees during lockdown spurred Bothwell into action.

Jen explains some of the benefits of going on a digital transformation journey to transform the finance function.

Megan Pydigadu reveals some of the lessons learnt from EOH’s pre-pandemic liquidity crisis.

As the CFO of the SABC Yolande van Biljon is part of the team responsible for steering the broadcaster back to financial sustainability.

CFO Pieter de Wit sees the value of soft skills in contributing to a company’s success.

Elena believes that people should be empowered to be able to deal with challenges.

Pieter highlights the double challenge of acting as CEO and running finance during a pandemic.

Riaan explains how Exxaro used drones during Covid-19 lockdown level 5 for remote stockpile assessment.

Sedibelo Platinum Mines CFO Elmarie Maritz sees the mining industry as an opportunity for women.

The Absa FD and 2020 CFO of the Year gives insight into his career with the bank.

Calgro M3’s CFO Waldi Joubert shares his formula for meeting challenges head-on.

Krish says he leaves on a high, with the eThekwini Municipality's finances doing better than ever.

Jarred knew from a young age that he wanted to be an entrepreneur instead of a cog in the machine.

Since 2008, Nerissa Jalim has been a volunteer at NPO Eden Little Society in Gauteng.

Riaan believes businesses that offer an unforgettable and authentic service experience will thrive.

FEM CFO Yusuf Bodiat has faced many challenges in his career, but kept going despite being knocked down.

DoughGetters’ Murray Barnetson makes a case for taking care of yourself to avoid burnout.

Nick shares his thoughts on life, legacy, and longevity as he prepares for retirement in two years.

Tramayne knew from his days auditing Spree.co.za that he wanted to work in the tech space.

On 6 December 2020, Nico took the opportunity of eased lockdown restrictions to get married.

Tiffany has gone through life chasing new opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to her.

Mariné van Brakel, CFO of the RCS Group, relishes the company’s enduring start-up culture.

ACCA-qualified Jo talks about how the intentions behind our actions determine a much bigger success.

RMB CFO Jaco van Wyk has FirstRand blood running through his veins after spending 18 years with the company.

Finance leaders share how they have approached turnaround strategies, and led their teams through volatile times.

A look back at some thoughts from our community on what makes a great CFO.

Attacq CFO Raj Nana says the real estate market is keeping the company on its toes.

Calib Cassim is the CFO who leads and oversees all aspects of the company’s financial strategy at Eskom.

Distell group CFO Lucas Verwey relishes the strategic leadership and variety that his role offers him.

Thabea Modise says she is a custodian of the public purse and must follow the rules.

Shell financial advisor Sanda Mahlakahlaka has learned you can find game-changing people on the way to success.

Rivasha Maharaj reflects on the journey to winning the Top Woman in Finance 2020 award.

At the Finance Indaba, Telkom CFO Tsholofelo Molefe explained what it takes to be a woman leader.

Unilever’s Mikateko Tshetshe shares her learning journey to the top during Finance Indaba Network.

CFO Nolwazi Mamorare steering the University of Johannesburg through the Covid-19 storm.

Jordaan Burger enjoys being the strategic finance leader within business management service Sage.

RiSA CFO Nishal Lalla: Agility and resilience are key in an industry not likely to rebound quickly.

Boipelo has a vision for improving the mining sector in South Africa through life-saving technology.

For Anton, heading up finance at Shoprite during Covid-19 and IFRS 16 has been ‘interesting’.

Deloitte Consulting Africa CFO Aneshree Naidoo returned to work from maternity leave during Covid-19.

Hennie says that there’s a huge amount of change and vibrancy in the Santam business.

Kennedy Chinganya, Altron Nexus FD, says education has been a game changer in his life.

In an exclusive interview with CFO.co.za, Raisibe says she's looking forward to Vodacom's youthfulness.

ACCA-qualified Innocent Gumbochuma runs his public sector organisation with a strong private-sector orientation.

Laila says it's important for young women of colour to take up significant positions in corporate SA.

Morris applies the same passion and intentionality he has for food, wine and the outdoors to his work.

Omnia's Stephan Serfontein on implementing a turnaround strategy while stepping into FD role.

Auvasha Moodley leads on the dancefloor as she does in life; with elegance and determination.

She was under pressure to deliver life-saving gases, but denied her respite of running during lockdown.

Pramy started working with numbers when she was young, helping out with the books for her family's farm.

Ahmed's exposure to the inner workings of government embedded a deep sense of responsibility.

Having the wisdom to make smart decisions is something Thobeka Ntshiza, CFO of Avis Fleet, values.

For ACCA-qualified Yvonne Soglo, no day in the job is the same in her role as director: provincial budget analysis at the National Treasury. Her responsibilities including supporting 12 finance teams in the Limpopo province to deliver on spending that matches their budgets.

Sean Doherty: "When things do eventually take a turn for the better, we can thrive together."

Avashnee Ramdial has learnt that finance departments don't deliver well if their culture isn't cohesive and collaborative. She explained how she got this right as the CFO of Stanlib, based on a similar process in her prior role at Absa, and how she is keen to share the learnings from the hardships she has faced with other women in finance, in an interview with Georgina Guedes.

Her love for numbers and sharp logic make Jo-Ann Pohl a natural dynamo in finance, but what has really made her an exceptional leader is her strong creative streak and ability to imagine fresh new possibilities for every scenario.

Riaan is using his work ethic and hard-gained knowledge to rehabilitate areas historically damaged by mining.

As the CFO of Nando's South Africa, Simon Adams stands behind the company's strategy to make South Africa a better place, whether it's through their chicken, their community projects or their investment into South Africa's local designers and artists.

Rina started travelling for work, then made it her passion, and now feeds it back into her working world.

Cedric Miller took on the role of group CFO of Altron in May last year after a long and fruitful career with Standard Bank. He's relishing getting to grips with the finances of an ICT empire, while playing an active role in delivering on CEO Mteto Nyati's vision for the transformation of Altron.

Oceana Group has been prepared for Covid-19's entry into South Africa since the start of 2020.