Cyber Security Summit Unveils the 2025 Cyber50: Honoring Visionary Leaders Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity

                              13th March 2025 Johannesburg

The Cyber Security Summit proudly presents the 2025 Cyber50, celebrating 50 exceptional cybersecurity leaders who are shaping the future of Cyber security. This distinguished list recognizes pioneers across various sectors, including IT, cybersecurity, data protection, cloud security, and quantum computing. These individuals were selected through nominations, direct applications, in-depth research, and interviews for their dedication to driving transformative change in the cybersecurity landscape.

The Cyber50 honorees are:

1. Gloseije Jessy Bazolana – Head: IT National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
2. Funwell Mwarazi – Director: IT Infrastructure GPAA (Government Pensions Administration Agency)
3. Brian Knott – CIO Calgro M3
4. Justin Williams – Executive: Group Information Security (Group CISO) MTN Group
5. Avhatakali Ranwedzi Munyai – Director Of Information Technology University of Johannesburg
6. Graeme te Brake – Chief Information Officer Eazi Access
7. Olabode Ogundele – Head of Information Security Vox Telecommunication (Pty) Ltd
8. Gert Botha – Chief Information Officer 3Sixty Health
9. Jenny Mohanlall – Senior Director: Information Technology Dhl International
10. José Soares – Director of IT The Capital Hotels, Apartments & Resorts
11. Tandile Stuurman – Chief Information Officer Department of Public Service and Administration
12. Amit Tyagi – Head of Information Technology Jindal Africa
13. Ashok Rutthan – Vice President CyberSecurity and IT GRC Massmart
14. Yendesian Naidoo – Acting CISO | Group Head: Cyber Security Engineering Life Healthcare
15. Brian Bownass – Head of ICT Moolmans South Africa (Pty) Ltd
16. Hanli Grobler – CIO and CISO Finbond Mutual Bank
17. Thato Mafanti – Head Of Information Technology Telesure Investment Holdings (TIH)
18. Billy van Zyl – Head Of Information Technology FedEx
19. Seth Frimpong Manso – Chief Information Security Officer Access Bank Ghana
20. Sachin Surajbali – Group Chief Information Security Officer Liberty Holdings Limited
21. Harrison Nnaji – Group Chief Information Security Officer Firstbank Group & Its Subsidiaries
22. Jongikhaya Stuurman – Chief Information Officer PetroSA
23. Nicholaus Theofrastos – Head of Information Technology Dr Reddys Laboratories
24. Phila Ndarana – Chief Technology Officer Auditor-General of South Africa
25. Tsakani Dumezulu – Chief Information Officer Department of Basic Education
26. Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar – Group Chief Information Officer Council for Medical Schemes
27. Bellinah Masetla – Chief Information Officer Standard Bank (Insurance & Property)
28. Nomonde White-Ndlovu – Chief Information Officer Bidvest Bank
29. Mohammed Dawood – Chief Information Officer Bayport Financial Services
30. Rizwaan Gani – Global Head of Information Security Operations Investec
31. Mbusiswa Nyuswa – Chief Technology Officer Old Mutual iWYZE
32. Seaparo Phala – Chief Information Officer Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
33. Siyabonga Mahlangu – Chief Information Officer Liberty Health
34. Faith Kotsedi – Chief Information Officer National Credit Regulator
35. Stephen Mark – Head of Information Security and Cyber Security Omnia Holdings
36. Gareth Sieberhagen – Head of IT in2food
37. Moosa Kotwal – Head of IT Anchor Capital (Pty) Ltd
38. Phumelela Mlangeni – Head of Information Technology Operations Clinix Health Group (Pty) Ltd
39. Ishaaq Jacobs – Chief Cyber Security Officer (CISO) Sasol
40. Lungile Mginqi – Group CIO Sasol
41. Gareth Hawkins – Group CISO Lesaka Technologies Inc
42. JOHN BOSCO ARENDS – Group Head Information and Network Technology Operations (Chairperson of the Chartered CIO Council) City of Johannesburg
43. Muhammad Ali Bhikhan – Chief Information Officer (CIO) – ABSA Regional Operations
44. Joost Pielage – CTO Quro Medical
45. Ritasha Kalidas – Director: IT Security, Risk and Governance & Digital Transformation Lead Tiger Brands
46. Vuma Magaqa – Head of ICT Governance Department of Health KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.
47. Sithembile Songo – Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Group Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
48. Sheldon Kisten – Head of Cyber Security Liberty Group South Africa
49. Nontsasa Ndlovu – Head: Digital and Technology HEINEKEN Beverages
50. Nkosekhaya Mfini – Interim Chief Information Officer FNB South Africa
51. Mahendra Beharie – Vice President of IT Sub Saharan Africa DHL Express
52. Yosheen Padayachee – Group Information Technology Director Tsebo Solutions Group
53. Tefo Moreki – CISO Airports Company South Africa
54. Janade Sewnarain – Head of IT Infrastructure BankservAfrica
55. Jevin Cassel – Chief Information Officer Balwin Properties
56. Shalin Naidoo – Chief Information and Technology Officer DRDGOLD
57. Theven Naicker – Head of IT Scania South Africa
58. Neil Govender – Head Of Information Technology Hyprop Investments Limited
59. Assaad Honein – Group Chief Information Officer MOTUS HOLDINGS LIMITED
60. Nomazwi Mhloma – Deputy Chief Information Officer eThekwini Municipality
61. Sindisiwe Nhlapho Dlamini Moloi – CIO Transnet Engineering
62. Gona Rajoo – Chief Information Officer Peermont Global
63. Galeboe Mogotsi – Chief Information Security Officer University of the Witwatersrand
64. Zakiyya C – Head of Cyber, Risk & Governance & ICT PMO Mpact Limited
65. Pralin Naidoo – Director, Data Governance Pernod Ricard

These honorees are united by their passion for driving innovation and enhancing Cyber security.

Their work continues to define the future of cybersecurity across industries worldwide.