Day 1|18 August 2026 Turning Policy Into Performance, Promises Into Progress
08:00 - 09:00
REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS
09:00 – 09:05
MODERATOR’S WELCOME |Elma Akob, Founder, Elevate Africa Academy
09:05 - 09:10
ORGANISERS INTRO|Emlyn Dunn,Project Manager, Topco Media
09:10 - 09:25
KEYNOTE ADDRESS |Ethical Leadership and Rebuilding Public Trust Strong institutions are the foundation of a capable state, and trust is the currency that makes them work. The erosion of ethical governance has been described as a critical threat, with "very serious red lights flashing for our government and our democracy" . Yet history shows that institutions can be rebuilt when leaders choose integrity over convenience. Speaker: Dr Mathews Phosa, Celebrated SA Leader, Prominent Businessman & Attorney
09:25 - 09:40
DEPUTYMINISTER’SADDRESS|ReformingPost-SchoolEducationandTrainingfor a Changing World The post-school educationandtrainingsectorisundergoingasignificantreset, shifting towards measurable outcomes, accountability, and system-wide integration. This session explores the government's reform agenda, including efforts to strengthen vocational training, improve workplace-based learning, andensurethattheeducationsystemdeliverseconomicopportunityandsocial mobilityforallSouthAfricans.Itaskswhatittakestobuildasystemthatprepares young people for the future of work and ensures that no one is left behind.
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
Speaker: Hon. Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training 09:40 - 09:55
DEPUTYMINISTER’SADDRESS|MobilityasaPublicService:WhyAccessIsAbout More Than Roads In South Africa, access is not just about infrastructure, it is about equality. A commuterinSoweto,alearnerinLimpopo,andaworkerinaruralEasternCape village do not experience mobility the same way. How doesthepublicsector ensure that transport policyandinvestmentprioritisethosewhohavebeenleft behind? This conversation explores access as a core function of a capable state:connectingpeopletojobs,education,healthcare,andopportunity.What needs to change; in planning, funding, and accountability,tomakeaccessa reality for all South Africans, not just those who can afford alternatives? Speaker: Hon. Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Deputy Minister of Transport
09:55 - 10:20
ICON AWARDS HANDOVER
10:20 - 10:40
RISE & GRIND | Coffee Break Value for People: Redefining Public Sector Success
10:40 - 11:20
PANEL DISCUSSION |The R1 Trillion Question: Can We Spend Our Way to Better Infrastructure? South Africa has committed vast resources to infrastructure – yet the gap between policy and delivery remains stubbornly wide. Plans are plentiful. Potholes, water cuts, and power outages are not. Thispanelshiftstheconversationfromhowmuchwearespendingtowhetherwe are spending well. It looks at what actually drives performance: accountable utilities, ring-fenced services, and a funding model that rewards results, not just promises.Thequestionisnotwhetherthemoneyexists–itiswhetherthesystems, skills, and political will existtoturnbillionsintobridges,pipes,andlightsthatstay on.
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
Panellists: ● Chrissy Dube, Chief Stakeholders, Projects & Advocacy Officer, Good Governance Africa ● Vinesh Maharaj, Director: Smart Manufacturing & Industry MEA, NTT DATA ● Dr Lungile Binza, COO, SABC ● Sanett Uys, Head: Advisory Services, Afroteq Advisory 11:20 - 11:25
POWER TALK | Tariro Mutizwa, Vice President-Africa,TheCharteredInstituteof Management Accountants
11:25 - 12:00
PANEL DISCUSSION | The 2040 Public Financial Catalyst: Aligning Strategy, Culture, and Technology for Citizen Value
Hosted By CIMA
Publicsectorfinanceprofessionalsarethesilentbackboneofafunctioningstate. However,aspublicbodiesfaceunprecedentedfiscalpressuresandrisingcitizen demands, the role of finance is rapidly evolving. It is shifting from strict budget controlandtransactionalreportingtoservingasastrategiccatalystforlong-term value creation. This session explores how the next generation of public sector finance professionals is stepping into a business partner mindset, collaborating across departmentalsiloswithHRandoperationstoalignresourcesdirectlywithsocietal outcomes rather than just tracking output volumes. We will discuss how professionalisation,continuouslearningcultures,andtheresponsibleadoptionof digital tools and AI are transforming government financial management. What doesthisnextgenerationofpublicsectorfinancialleaderslooklike,andhowdo we build the organisational frameworks to support them? Speaker: ● Pretty Makukule,CFO, SANRAL ● Prof. Rajesh Mahabeer, Non-Executive Director, Audit & Risk Committee Chair, and Academic ● Dr Lulama Ngwenya, Director, Kuhle Capital ● Tahera Sayed Soror, Director, North West Provincial Treasury
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
12:00 - 12:15
POWER TALK | How Smart Indigent Management Protects the Vulnerable and Protects the Fiscus
Hosted By
Every municipality wantstosupportitspooresthouseholds.Butwhenverification
Gensize
systems are weak, subsidies leak tothosewhodon'tqualify–drainingresources that should reach the truly vulnerable. This session explores how smart indigent management platforms – using data matching, regular validation, and transparent appeals processes – restore accuracy and fairness to social support programmes. It is aboutprotectingthe fiscus without punishing the poor. When indigent registers are credible, municipalitiescandefendeveryrandspent,andcitizenscantrustthathelpgoes where it is needed most. Leave with practicalstepstostrengthenverification,reduceleakage,andbuild an indigent management system that works for everyone. Speaker: ● Zeus Maboho,CEO, Gensize
12:15 - 12:45
PANEL DISCUSSION | From Plans to Performance:FixingServiceDeliveryin
Real Time South Africa has no shortage of policies, strategies,andreformframeworks,yet service delivery challenges persist. This session shifts the focus from planning to execution, exploring how the public sector canimprovereal-timeperformance across essential services such as water, energy,transport,andhousing.Through data-driven decision-making, performance tracking, and agile governance models, the discussion will highlight practical approaches to closing the gap between intent and impact, ensuring that citizens experience tangible improvements in their daily lives. Panellists: ● Len De Villiers, Group CTIO, Eskom
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
● Jennifer Reddy, CEO, Morar Incorporated ● Beverly Nkwana, Chief Financial Officer, The Presidency of South Africa ● Rolf Canto, Head of Infrastructure Debt, Old Mutual 12:45 - 13:00
POWER TALK |A ccessible by Design – Making Housing Finance Work for
Everyone A home is more than shelter. It is accesstoopportunity,dignity,andeconomic Hosted By NHFC
participation. Yet for millions of South Africans – particularlythoseinruralareas, informal settlements, and with disabilities – housing finance remains out of reach. This session explores how to design housing finance systems that are genuinely accessible. It looks at how to identify the barriers that exclude certain groups: lack of formal title deeds, irregular income, physical distance from financial institutions,andproductsthatdonotaccommodatedifferentbuildingmethods. Anditasksafundamentalquestion:howdowemeasureaccessibilitynotbythe number of loans approved, but by the number of people whose lives are changed? Speaker: ● Senior Representative, National Housing Finance Corporation Adaptive Governance: New Tools, New Rules, New Responsibilities
13:00 - 14:00 14:00 - 14:15
LUNCH BREAK DEPUTY MINISTER’S ADDRESS | Building an Education System That Leaves No Learner Behind Aqualityeducationsystemisthefoundationofacapable,inclusivesociety.The earlyyearsoflearningdetermineachild'strajectory,yettoomanySouthAfrican learners stillfallbehindinfoundationalliteracyandnumeracy.TheDepartment of Basic Education has made significant progress in strengthening early childhood development, expanding access, and improving the quality of teaching and learning. Hon. Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule explores how the
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
government, schools, and communities areworkingtogethertobuildasystem that leaves no learner behind. Speaker: Hon. Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, Deputy Minister of Basic Education 14:15 - 14:55
PANEL DISCUSSION |The Algorithmic State: Who Governs AI in Government? Asartificialintelligencebecomesincreasinglyembeddedinpublicsystems;from service delivery and resource allocation to surveillance anddecision-making,a critical question emerges: who governs the algorithms? Thissessionexploresthe opportunities and risks of AI in government, unpacking issues of accountability, bias, transparency, andcontrol.Itwillexaminehowpolicymakers,technologists, andregulatorscanworktogethertoensurethatAIenhancespublicvaluewhile protectingcitizens’rights,buildingtrust,andmaintainingdemocraticoversightin an increasingly automated state. Panellists: ● Annika Ojala, Coach & Founder, The Eleven Group ● Mpho Hlalele, Head: Marketing & Communications, Boxfusion ● Kofi Kyei, Sales Director, LexisNexis ● Gcobisa Soci, Deputy Director General: Administration (Corporate Management Services), Department of Communications & Digital Technologies*
14:55 - 15:00
Moderators Closing Remarks & Refreshments
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
Day 2|19 August 2026 Turning Policy Into Performance, Promises Into Progress
08:00 - 09:00
REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS
09:00 – 09:05
MODERATOR’S WELCOME |Elma Akob, Founder, Elevate AfricaAcademy
09:05 - 09:20
KEYNOTE ADDRESS |The Role of Strong Institutionsin a Healthy Democracy Public trust is fundamental to a functioning democracy, yet confidence in institutions can be difficult to build and easy to lose. This keynoteexploresthe role of strong, independent and accountable institutions in strengthening democratic confidenceandensuringthatcitizensfeelheard,representedand served. Drawing on the experienceofSouthAfrica’selectoraldemocracy,the session will examine how public sector leaders can reinforce institutional integrity, transparency and accountability while building stronger relationships between the state and the citizens it serves. Speaker: Mosotho Moepya, Chairperson, Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)*
09:20 - 09:40
MINISTER’S ADDRESS |Creating a Public Service That Serves South Africa’s public service must move beyond processesandproceduresto focus on the people it ultimately exists to serve. This keynote explores how government can build a more responsive, professional and citizen-centred public service; one that reduces unnecessary bureaucracy, embraces innovationandempowerspublicservantstodeliverwithgreaterefficiencyand impact. *=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
Speaker: Hon. Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service and Administration Putting People First: Talent, Leadership, and Social Inclusion 09:40 - 10:20
PANEL DISCUSSION |The Youth Dividend: Turning Skillsinto Public Sector Impact A sizable percentage of young people aged 15–24 are unemployed. Yet the governmentrunsdozensofskillsprogrammeswithmixedresults.Thispanelmoves beyondtraining-for-training's-sake:howdoweembedyoungpeopleintoactual public sector delivery, from digital services to infrastructure maintenance to community health work? Panellists: ● Antoinette Young, Manager of the Digital LearningUnit,NEMISA ● Bontle Lerumo, CEO, PSETA ● Ndumiso Kubheka, CEO, NYDA ● Dr Sanele Mlotshwa, Principal, Majuba TVET College & President, South African College Principal’s Organisation (SACPO)
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
10:20 - 10:50
PANEL DISCUSSION | The CEO’s Mandate: Leading Turnaround in a Complex Environment CEOsacrosstheSouthAfricanecosystemoperateinoneofthemostdemanding leadershipenvironmentsinthecountry.Theymustdeliverresultswhilenavigating complex stakeholder expectations, public scrutiny, limited resources, and the weight of national development priorities. This panel bringstogetherchiefexecutivesfromacrossthepublic/privatesector landscape to discuss what it actually takes to lead in this environment; from managingboardrelationsanddrivingoperationalperformancetostrengthening governance, building public trust, and fostering ethical culture. Panellists: ● Tshepo Kgobe, CEO, Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) ● Yvonne Mothibi, CEO, The Institute of Risk ManagementSouth Africa ● Ziaad Suleman,CEO, Cassava Technologies SA & Botswana
10:50 - 11:20
PANEL DISCUSSION |Designing Public Institutions fora Changing South Africa Government institutions were built around mandates, structures and ways of working that are increasingly being tested by changing demographics, technology, citizen expectations and fiscal realities. This panel explores how public institutions can rethink the way they are structured, how functions are organised and how people are deployed to meet changing needs. From municipalities to national departments, what does it take to build public institutions that are flexible enough to adapt without losing focus on their core mandate? Panellists: ● Aluwani Ramagadza, Acting CEO, Municipal DemarcationBoard (MDB) ● Dr Zukiswa Mqolomba, Commissioner & Deputy Chairperson,Public Service Commission of South Africa ● Penny Adams, Human Capital Executive, Primedia Outof Home
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
11:20- 11:45 11:45 - 12:25
RISE & GRIND | Coffee Break PANEL DISCUSSION | Growing a Green Economy: Agriculture and the Just Transition AgricultureisattheheartofSouthAfrica'sjusttransition–notonlyasasectorthat must adapt to climate change, but as one that can drive inclusive growth, create jobs, and build resilient rural economies. This session explores how organisations,communities,andgovernmentcanworktogethertoalignclimate actionwithfoodsecurity,economicdevelopment,andsocialequity.Whatdoes a just transition look like for the people who grow what we eat? Panellists: ● Kushela Naidoo, Managing Director & Environmental Specialist, Wallace & Green Consulting ● Dr. Dalene Louw, CEO, AgriGauteng ● Candice Knipe-Tlhotlhalemajoe, Managing Director: Corporate Affairs Strategist, Africa Energy & Minerals Advisory ● Dr. Phindile Nkosi, Director of the Public and Environmental Economics Research Centre, University of Johannesburg
12:25 - 12:35
POWER TALK |Navigating Decarbonization Strategiesin Road Infrastructure The Climate Change Act and its regulations set the framework, but delivery requirescollaborationacrossassetowners,designers,suppliers,contractors,and communities. Provinces, municipalities, and SOEs must develop mitigation, adaptation, and vulnerability strategies aligned with South Africa's climate commitments. The transport sector must strengthen disaster coordination through early warning systems and cross-sectoral response. Designers must embedresilience,suppliersmustaccelerategreentechnology,andcontractors must adopt smart, low-carbon methods. Climate priorities must advance economic and social goals. What remains is a clear government roadmapto turn policy into practice. Speaker:Mahendren Manicum, Managing Director, NaiduConsulting
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
12:35 - 13:05
PANEL DISCUSSION|Building Integrity: The SystemsThat Make Government Work Every South African wants a government that delivers. The question is how we build the systems that make that possible. This session looks at the practical reforms already underway – from whistle-blower protections and transparent procurement to performance management and accountability frameworks. It is about creating an environment where public servants can do their best work, where trust is earned, and where integrity is the foundation of service delivery. Not because it is easy – but because it is possible. Panellists: ● Prof. Edith Phaswana, Acting Executive Dean: ThaboMbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, UNISA ● Fatima Rawat, Ethics Subject Matter Expert, The EthicsInstitute ● Prof. Nicholas Crisp, Deputy Director-General: NationalHealth Insurance, Dept. of Health ● Komala Pillay, CEO, Citizen Leader Lab
13:05 - 14:05
LUNCH BREAK Delivering Together: Economic Inclusion and Community Safety
14:05 - 14:45
PANEL DISCUSSION | Unlocking SMMEs Through Procurement, Partnerships, and Growth Governmentprocurementholdsimmensepotentialtodriveinclusivegrowth,but unlocking that potential requires more than just policy changes. It demands collaboration across the entire economic ecosystem; public buyers, private suppliers, financiers, and enterprise development partners. This panel explores howtomovebeyondthebarriersthatkeepsmallbusinesses locked out of public and private supply chains. It looks at what works: procurement reforms, supplier development programmes, access to finance, and genuine public-private partnerships that build sustainable pipelines.?
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice
Panellists: ● Mandla Magwaza, Chairperson, Africa Small BusinessDevelopment (ASBD) ● Tiekie Barnard, CEO & Founder, Shared Value Africa ● Thandeka Nkambule, Chief Transformation Officer, Sanlam ● Tina Luboya, Managing Director, LYAF Property Services 14:45 - 15:05
FIRESIDE CHAT |Strengthening Public Sector Financesfor the Long Haul South Africa's public sector faces real fiscal pressures – but resilience is not just about surviving constraints. It is about building a financial foundation strong enough to support growth, innovation, and lasting service delivery. This conversation explores what is already working in public sectorfinanceand asks how we move from reactive crisis management to proactive financial sustainability, creating the headroom for investment, development, and a capable state that delivers for all South Africans. Panellists: ● Monei Seleho, Head of Public Sector, Nedbank Commercial Banking ● Basani R. Hlekane, Principal & CEO, Vhembe TVET College
15:05 - 15:10
Moderators Closing Remarks & Refreshments
*=Invited speaker / not confirmed or committed as yet NB: Note that this Programme is subject to change without notice