South African CIOs invited to take part in Brainstorm’s annual survey

The ITWeb Brainstorm CIO Survey, a partnership between ITWeb and MTN Business, has commenced and is currently seeking input from South African technology leaders. This annual survey, which has been gathering insights from CIOs and senior IT executives for over a decade, aims to provide a snapshot of how local CIOs are navigating the challenges of digital transformation, skills shortages, and budget constraints in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

The preliminary results of the 2026 CIO Survey are scheduled to be unveiled at the ITWeb Brainstorm CIO Banquet on October 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg. This event provides an excellent opportunity for CIOs and equivalent C-suite IT executives from large South African organizations to share their perspectives and contribute to the evolving understanding of digital maturity and the role of the CIO.

The findings from this survey will be compiled into the annual CIO Survey research report, set to be published in December 2026. In addition to the survey, Brainstorm has also announced the 2026 CIO of the Year Awards, a recognition program in collaboration with First Distribution and Microsoft. The awards encompass two categories: Enterprise CIO of the Year and Public Sector CIO of the Year.

Tando Luyaba, CIO of the Information Regulator, was awarded Public Sector CIO of the Year in 2025, while Khomotso Molabe, group CIO for personal and private banking at Standard Bank, received the Enterprise CIO of the Year accolade. Nominations for these awards close on September 28. A judging panel will then narrow down the nominees and conduct interviews before announcing the winners at the Brainstorm CIO Banquet on October 22.