"CIOs have a hectic schedule, and you have to have a good team to do well," says De Villiers. "I always say I need an 'All Black' team. If you don't, you will lose the game. You have to make sure you continue to improve, and have a good team that helps you. The job is 24/7, 365."
He describes his role as looking after the technology for Telkom, starting with the 2 000-strong IT people and adding another 8 000 into the team with the acquisition of BCX.
With 25 years' experience in the industry, De Villiers is a much respected chairman of the CIO Council of South Africa. "IT is so entrenched throughout the organisation, CIOs are constantly being checked and challenged. And we help the CIOs through this council, by doing lots of mentoring programmes and dashboards to help them with governanvce and engagement with their boards."
Read about the other Visionary CIO finalists
 ASHLEY VEASEY |  BRENDA NIEHAUS |  JAMIE WHITTAKER |  LIBISI MAPHANGA | ||
 PETER ALKEMA |  RIDWAAN BARDIEN |  SEAN MARITZ |  THAGARAN GOVENDER |  TRAVIS DEWING |
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