On 26 June 2026, the Global CIO Forum South Africa officially launched its Wellness Breakfast Series and Wellness Survey in Cape Town, marking a pioneering initiative dedicated to strengthening the well-being, resilience, and long-term success of CIOs and technology leaders across South Africa.
As technology executives continue to lead organisations through AI adoption, cybersecurity challenges, digital transformation, and constant innovation, the Forum believes that investing in leadership well-being is no longer optional-it is essential. Resilient leaders build stronger organisations, inspire high-performing teams, and make better strategic decisions.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Global CIO Forum South Africa Wellness Survey, one of the first initiatives of its kind within South Africa’s technology leadership community. The survey will provide valuable insights into the challenges, pressures, and well-being of CIOs and technology executives, helping shape future executive support programmes, industry initiatives, and thought leadership.
The survey findings will also contribute to a forthcoming Global CIO Forum South Africa White Paper on Technology Leadership and Well-being, providing practical recommendations and industry insights to help organisations build healthier, more resilient leadership teams.
What distinguished the event was its focus on people as much as technology. During an engaging moderated discussion, CIOs and technology leaders openly shared their perspectives on the greatest threats to executive resilience, how organisations can better support CIO well-being, the leadership capabilities required for future success, how Boards can better support technology leaders, and practical actions organisations can implement today.
The valuable insights shared during these discussions will play a significant role in shaping both the Wellness Survey findings and the future White Paper, creating a lasting contribution to South Africa’s technology leadership community.
A heartfelt thank you to Nihka Technology and its outstanding team for partnering with the Global CIO Forum South Africa to bring this important initiative to life.
Special recognition goes to Jenny Mohanlall, Board Member of the Global CIO Forum South Africa Chapter, whose leadership, dedication, and meticulous planning were instrumental in delivering a highly successful event.
The Forum also extends its appreciation to Abdul Kader Baba, President of the Global CIO Forum South Africa; Henny Schlebusch, Vice President of the Global CIO Forum South Africa; and Darrly Dennis, Board Member of the Global CIO Forum South Africa, for their leadership, support, and commitment in driving this important initiative and ensuring its success.
Special thanks to Yashmita Bhana, CEO of Nihka Technology, the entire Nihka Technology team, together with Gail Sturguss, for expertly facilitating the event and creating an open and engaging environment that encouraged meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing.
Finally, the Global CIO Forum South Africa extends its sincere appreciation to all the CIOs, technology executives, and delegates whose engagement, openness, and valuable insights made the session highly impactful. Their contributions will play an important role in shaping both the Wellness Survey and the future White Paper, creating a lasting legacy for technology leadership in South Africa.
The Global CIO Forum South Africa remains committed to driving meaningful conversations, fostering collaboration, generating industry knowledge, and delivering initiatives that strengthen technology leadership across the country. The Wellness Breakfast Series and Wellness Survey mark the beginning of a long-term commitment to understanding, supporting, and empowering technology leaders while contributing valuable research and thought leadership to the industry.
By placing equal importance on innovation, leadership, and well-being, the Global CIO Forum South Africa continues to redefine what it means to lead in the digital age.
“The strongest digital organisations are built by resilient leaders. By investing in the well-being of CIOs today, we are shaping the future of technology leadership for generations to come.”
