Niel Schoeman, founder and CEO of Vumatel, has scooped the 2015 IT Personality award, and Peter du Plooy, CIO of Engen Petroleum, is this year's Visionary CIO winner.
The winners were announced at the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) President's Awards, held at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton this morning. Both awards are presented by the IITPSA, in association with ITWeb, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Gartner Africa.
Tony Parry, CEO of the IITPSA, said: "We are celebrating 58 years of proudly South African service to our members. The institute is the third oldest body of its type, with 6 000 members. Today's awards are the longest standing and most prestigious IT awards in South Africa, and are about promoting excellence and promoting local IT professionals for their outstanding contributions both to the industry and our profession."
Visionary CIO winner
The Visionary CIO 2015, Engen's Peter du Plooy, was announced by last year's winner, Financial Services Board CIO, Tshifhiwa Ramuthaga.
The judges stated Du Plooy 'exudes understated brilliance'. "He is a visionary not only for his thorough understanding of how to align technology with business, but for his active approach to developing skills and capacity for the sector."
They added Du Plooy empowers his team, bringing them on board through clear communication, authentic interaction, mentoring and coaching. "He has created a strong alignment between IT and business through a solid governance process, which has resulted in Engen reaping the rewards of its technology investment in both profitability and efficiency."
According to the judges, Du Plooy defies the notion that CIOs have the toughest jobs out there. He is the epitome of a rock solid CIO who has taken his visionary ideas, and harnessed technology to convert these ideas into tangible benefits for his business.
"I am humbled by this award," said Du Plooy. "I would like to thank the institute and those involved in the process, those who supported me, and my organisation. I look forward to getting more involved in ICT and making a bigger contribution to the industry going forward, and to our absolutely wonderful country."
Commenting on what the Visionary CIO is all about, Ramuthaga said: "The call of action today is, how do we build a country of future relevance. The digital divide keeps on getting bigger and bigger though, but being part of the judging panel made me realise there are amazing people doing what they can to boost the industry, skills and the country as a whole."
Du Plooy competed against four other finalist CIOs: James Devine, CIIO of Project Isizwe; Louise van der Bank, CIO of AfriSam; Lungi Sangqu, Executive Director ICT at UNISA; and Thabo Ndlela, Group CIO of Tiger Brands.
IT Personality winner
Last year's winner, Gian Visser, CEO of Afrihost, who presented the IT Personality Award, said: "This award has meant a lot. It began 37 years ago, when I was three years old, and then when I started Afrihost in my mum's house, there were individuals that I perceived as titans of the industry winning this award. It is surreal to win it and a real honour, as well as a humbling experience."
What is wonderful in my view, is we can apply IT to shift businesses and transform the world. I think SA is one of the most interesting places to be at the moment.
Niel Schoeman
According to the judges, this year's winner, Vumatel's Niel Schoeman, has a crystal clear idea of where he is going and how he is going to get there, and has blazed the trail for fibre in South Africa, making a real contribution to the broader society. He impressed not only with his broad vision, but also with the absolute precision with which he has thought through the smallest elements of his business.
In addition, he was described as having an open and laid-back leadership style that inspires belief in his enterprise from his staff and customers. "The work that Vumatel has done in creating 'fibrehoods' in Johannesburg has been transformational and required socialising the concept with the communities, which have now fully bought into it," said the judges.
"He believes South Africans should complain less and do more - and what an inspirational and fine example of that philosophy he is," they concluded.
On receiving his award, Schoeman said: "What a pleasant surprise and what an honour. Thanks to everyone who put this process together, and supported me. It's an individual award but a team sport and I've been supported by a wonderful team, both at home and at work. To my Vumatel team, you are doing a fantastic job. What a wonderful time we live in in IT. What is wonderful in my view, is we can apply IT to shift businesses and transform the world. I think SA is one of the most interesting places to be at the moment."
Schoeman also faced tough competition from the other four finalists in the running: Alan Knott-Craig, CEO of Project Isizwe; Barbara Mallinson, founder and CEO of Obami; Derek Wilcocks, CEO Middle East and Africa, Dimension Data and Lex van Wyk, founder and CEO, Teraco.
More accolades
Fellowship of the Institute Award, presented by IITPSA, given in recognition of an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the institute or the profession as a whole, was awarded to Dr Rabelani Dagada, deputy director of University Teaching and Learning Development at Unisa - a previous winner of the Visionary CIO Award and former IITPSA president.
The Distinguished Service in ICT Award, presented in association with EngineerIT for an outstanding contribution to the IT industry and the community at large, was awarded to Dr Jill Sawers, who has contributed to the growth of SMEs in SA for almost two decades. Sawers has had roles with the National Research Foundation and The Innovation Hub, and is currently CEO of Axess Consulting.
Paying it forward
Matangari Primary School was announced as the beneficiary charity for this year's awards.
A total of R25 000 was donated to the school, and everyone who attended this year's event brought a book for donation to the school's library.
Share