South Africa’s cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly as organizations face increasing pressure from sophisticated threat actors, regulatory scrutiny, and digital transformation across critical industries. The following CISOs stand out for their leadership, achievements, and influence across various industries. Their work not only strengthens their organizations but also shapes the broader cybersecurity posture of the country.
Sithembile Songo — Eskom
Sithembile Songo leads cybersecurity at Eskom, South Africa’s largest and most critical energy provider, where she oversees protection across expansive IT and OT environments. With an MSc in Information Security from the University of London, she has become a prominent figure in national cyber defense. In 2025, she won CISO of the Year at the Wired4Women Awards, recognizing her leadership in safeguarding critical infrastructure and modernizing Eskom’s security operations.
Galeboe Mogotsi — University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Galeboe Mogotsi was appointed CISO of Wits University in 2024, bringing more than 18 years of cybersecurity and digital technology experience to the institution. His leadership focuses on advancing Zero Trust Architecture and improving the protection of research data and academic systems within one of the country’s leading universities. Mogotsi is also an active contributor to CIO South Africa, where he writes about the future of university cybersecurity and the increasing pressure on higher-education institutions to modernize their defenses.
Hendrik Wiese — iMasFinance
As the CISO of iMasFinance, Hendrik Wiese plays a key role in securing sensitive financial systems and customer data for one of South Africa’s respected financial services providers. His impact extends beyond his organization. He was named to the global Cyber50 list, which recognizes cybersecurity leaders shaping the future of digital defense. This acknowledgment highlights his contributions to risk management, security governance, and digital trust in the financial sector.
Sachin Surajbali — Liberty Group South Africa
Sachin Surajbali leads cybersecurity across Liberty Group, one of South Africa’s largest financial services firms, where he has strengthened enterprise-wide risk management and modernized security operations. With certifications including CISSP and CISM, he has been recognized multiple times, most notably in the 2025 Cyber50 and the BFSI50 Awards, which honor excellence in banking and financial services security. Surajbali’s influence is seen not only in his organization but also in his growing role as a thought leader in financial-sector cybersecurity innovation.
Celia Mantshiyane — MTN South Africa
Celia Mantshiyane oversees cybersecurity at MTN South Africa, one of the largest telecom operators in the region, managing risks across millions of subscribers and highly distributed network environments. Her leadership earned her the CISO of the Year Award at the 2024 Connected Africa Summit, acknowledging her work in strengthening telecom security and contributing to regional digital resilience. She remains an influential voice in both telecom security and women’s leadership in tech.
Justin Williams — MTN Group
Justin Williams serves as Group CISO for MTN Group, overseeing security across operations in more than 18 countries. He previously spent 19 years with EY in cybersecurity advisory and has held senior roles at Transnet. His credentials include CA(SA), MBA, CISSP, CRISC, and CGEIT, combining financial, technical, and governance expertise. Williams has been recognized as a Global Top 100 Information Security Leader by Corinium and received the Thomas H. Fitzgerald Award for the highest global score in the 2014 CISA exam. His leadership is credited with transforming MTN’s global security operations into a mature, business-aligned function.
Ishaaq Jacobs — Sasol
Ishaaq Jacobs leads cybersecurity at Sasol, a global integrated energy and chemical company, where he focuses on resilience across complex industrial systems and multinational operations. With more than 20 years of experience in networking, identity management, SAP architecture, and enterprise security, Jacobs plays a major role in advancing Sasol’s cyber maturity. His keynote presence at ITWeb’s Security Summit highlights his thought leadership in cyber resilience and incident readiness across OT-heavy environments.
Thipe Khaole — Alexforbes
Thipe Khaole is the Group CISO at Alexforbes, where he oversees cybersecurity across financial advisory, investment, and administration platforms. With an MBA and extensive experience across risk, governance, and technology, Khaole has been recognized in the Cyber50 list for his leadership in strengthening digital trust in the financial sector. His work emphasizes aligning security investments with business needs and improving resilience across a highly regulated industry.
Niel van Rooyen — MagicOrange
Niel van Rooyen serves as CISO for MagicOrange, a technology and cyber-focused company, where he leads risk management and security strategy across its cloud-centric environment. His career spans telecoms, fintech, and IT services, giving him broad experience in diverse security challenges. Van Rooyen has also been named to the Cyber50 list, recognizing his influence in advancing cybersecurity leadership in South Africa’s growing tech ecosystem.
Ayanda Peta — Valterra Platinum
Ayanda Peta currently serves as the Head of Cybersecurity at Valterra Platinum, a major player in South Africa’s mining and platinum sector, where he leads the company’s cyber strategy across both IT and OT environments. Prior to this, he was the Group Head of Cybersecurity at African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), where he oversaw cloud, OT/ICS security, and resilience initiatives across complex mining operations. Peta also serves as President of the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) South Africa Chapter, further cementing his position as an influential voice in shaping national cloud security standards.
Leaders Shaping the Nation’s Digital Defense
These 10 cybersecurity leaders represent the forefront of South Africa’s defensive capabilities. Their work spans various sectors that form the backbone of the country’s digital economy. Through innovation, resilience, and a commitment to securing complex environments, these CISOs are shaping not only their organizations’ futures but also the broader trajectory of cybersecurity across the region. As threats evolve, these leaders will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening South Africa’s cyber resilience and influencing global best practices.