AGENDA
“Building the Data-Driven Enterprise”
The second Chief Data Officer & Information Quality South Africa Symposium 8-10 September
building the Data-
Driven Enterprise
2025
AGENDA
DAY 1:
8 September 2025
09:00 - 11:00
Masterclass / Workshop 1:
Where do you start to build the data-driven enterprise? Assessment
Howard Diesel, DAMA SA President
11:10 – 11:50
Masterclass / Workshop 2:
How do you enable the data-driven enterprise? Strategies
Karl Dinkelmann and Zjaen Coetzee, Nexus Data
14:00 – 16:00
Masterclass / Workshop 3: Governance
How do you sustain the data-driven enterprise? Governance
Dr Salomon de Jager, Pilog
CDOIQ Africa Symposium offers a platform to share innovative ideas, explore best practices, and advance the strategic role of data leadership in modern organisations.
DAY 2:
9 September 2025
Session Chair: Zjaen Coetzee
08:00 - 08:45
Registration & Networking
08:45 – 09:00
Welcome address and Opening the Symposium
Prof Wynand Steyn, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria
09:00– 09:15
Introduction to CDOIQ
Prof John Talburt, Senior Advisor, CDOIQ Program, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
09:15 – 10:00
KEYNOTE: Building the Data-Driven Enterprise
Dr. Danie Smit, BMW ZA IT Hub, Chief Technology Officer
10:00 – 10:30
Coffee Break and Networking
Session 1: (Prof Hanlie Smuts)
10:30 – 11:00
Session 1.1: The Business Imperative: Why Data-Driven Matters Now
Khumbudzo Mashamba: CoE and Business Process Management Portfolio Head, Telesure Investment Holdings (TIH)
11:00 – 11:30
Session 1.2: Strategic Value Planning: Turning Data into Tangible Business Outcomes
Verushca Hunter
CTO, BCX
11:30 – 12:30
Session 1.3: Mobility and Fleet Panel – moderated by Botha van der Vyver, CEO JustSolve
Topic: The need for a Data-Driven Enterprise in Mobility and Fleet
- Eric Njuguna: Head of Shared Services, Afrirent
-
Marna Roets, CEO, Inscorp Insurance
- Pulana Ngwasheng: CIO, AVIS
-
Teboho Ramaebebe, Afrirent
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch and Networking
Session 2: (Danie Behr)
13:30 – 14:15
KEYNOTE: “Imagine We Could… In Order To” — Turning Data into Decisions with AI and Automation
Mr Johan Steyn, Founder, AI for Business Africa’s foremost Artificial Intelligence thought leader
Summary:
This talk shows leaders how to turn “data-driven” from slogan to strategy using my “Imagine we could… in order to” framework. We’ll begin with outcome-first ideation—defining the business results you want—then translate those ideas into evidence-based cases that link your existing data assets to practical AI and automation opportunities. You’ll learn a simple, defensible way to size value and effort, prioritise for ROI, and design quick, low-risk pilots before scaling. Along the way we’ll address governance, privacy and human-in-the-loop safeguards, so innovation remains compliant and trusted. Attendees leave with a clear method and checklist to move from vision to execution in their own organisations.
14:15 – 14:45
Session 2.1: From Strategy to Execution: Building the Right Data Foundations
Richard Cazalet
Group Strategy, Telkom
14:45 – 15:15
Coffee Break and Networking
15:15 – 15:45
Session 2.2: Sustaining a data-driven enterprise – a quantum perspective
Dr Salomon de Jager
Chairman at PiLog Group
15:45 – 16:30
Session 2.3: HEALTHCARE PANEL – moderated by Wayne Janneker
The implications of not having a Data-Driven Enterprise in HealthCare
- Vukosi Sambo – CIO, PHA
- Shabana Patel – Data Lead, Medihelp S
16:30 – 17:30
Roundtables & Events for people not in roundtables
17:30 – 21:00
Symposium Dinner and Awards
DAY 3:
10 September 2025
Session Chair: Prof Hanlie Smuts
08:00 - 08:30
Registration & Networking
08:30 – 09:15
KEYNOTE: The data-driven enterprise
Prof John Talburt: Senior Advisor, CDOIQ Program, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Session 3: (Howard Diesel)
09:15 – 09:45
Session 3.1: Platform Power: Making the Right Investments in Technology
Clarence Sithole: Group Senior Manager Data Platforms and Solutions Architecture, MTN
09:45 – 10:15
Session 3.2: Building your Data Career for Data Leaders and Data Thought Leaders
Howard Diesel, CDO Modelware Systems
10:15 – 10:45
Session 3.3: AI Blueprint: Navigating with Two Compasses – Data Quality and Human EQ
Margarete Bester
Executive Head of Advanced Analytics, PEPKOR
10:45 – 11:15
Coffee Break and Networking
11:15 – 12:00
KEYNOTE: Building the Data Management Foundation for Generative AI at Scale
Christophe Makni
Head of Business Operations, Migros Bank, Zurich, Switzerland
12:00 – 12:45
Session 3.4: Banking Panel: The Future of a Data-Driven Enterprise in Banking – moderated by Mr Christophe Makni
- Ashmitha Moodley, Group Head – Data Analytics Strategy and Value Realisation, Nedbank
- Marianne Kekana, CDAO FNB, ConnectMe
- Keneilwe Gwaben, Group CIO, Rand Mutual Assurance
- Dr Sizwe Gwala, Head of Data Governance and Management, ABSA
12:45 – 14:00
Lunch and Networking
Session 4: (Zjaen Coetzee)
14:00 – 14:35
Session 4.1: Data Driven Mobility
Eric Njuguna: Head of Shared Services, Afrirent
14:35 – 15:10
Session 4.2: The Context Dilemma: Why Business Context is Non-Negotiable
Phil Anderson: Industry Expert and Advisor
15:15 – 15:45
Session 4.3: Shifting the Data Governance Narrative for Modern CDOs
Robert S. Seiner
President and Principal of KIK Consulting & Educational Services
15:45 – 16:15
Session 4.4: Sustaining the Momentum: Metrics, Maturity and Continuous Value Creation
Marianne Kekana,
CDAO FNB, ConnectMe
16:15 – 16:45
Session 4.5: Cross Industry Panel – moderated by Zjaen Coetzee
- Keegan van der Walt, Data Leader | Agile Business Founder
- Kwanele Ngoni: Mondelez
- Sybella van Niekerk: Finance Director, JLRSA
- Clarence Sithole , Group Senior Manager: Data Platforms and Solutions Architecture, MTN
16:45
Symposium Wrap-up and Final Remarks
Zjaen Coetzee
For event information, sponsorship and speakers: Zjaen Coetzee
THE Second Chief Data Officer & Information Quality South Africa Symposium IS HOSTED BY
PLATINUM SPONSOR
