The top six finalists for this year`s IT Personality title have been named.
Five have been selected from a shortlist of 10 candidates:
* Hamilton Ratshefola, CEO and co-founder of Cornastone Consulting. He has been credited with building one of the country`s most respected IT companies and named among the 20 most influential black businessmen.
* James Grcic, MD of Computer Storage Services Africa. He led the development of data recovery technology that is now patented to the CSS local office and licensed to the CSS group globally.
* Mirriam Zwane, co-owner and director of Praxis Computing. Already recognised for her "vast contribution to the ICT sector", Zwane has led Praxis to many areas of success. Among her initiatives is a development project that leads to a positive community response to crime.
* Pfungwa Serima, MD of Microsoft SA. Due to his initiatives, more than 1 000 graduates have been trained and employed in 2007 alone. A further 2 000 graduates will be trained and placed by the end of the calendar year.
* Phuthuma Nhleko, CEO of MTN Group. Under his leadership, the MTN Group accelerated its expansion programme in line with the company`s vision to be the leader in telecommunications in developing markets. He was identified as one of the most powerful executive directors of a JSE-listed company.
They are joined by the Western Cape IT Personality of the Year regional winner:
* Neville Naidoo, executive director and business development manager at Datacentrix. A passionate proponent of black economic empowerment, he has been at the forefront of the formulation of a charter that calls for constructive equity-sharing and engagement of historically disadvantaged South Africans.
Full biographies can be found here.
The award is presented by the Computer Society of SA, in association with ITWeb, Gartner Africa and the Gordon Institute of Business Science.
The winner will be announced at the CSSA President`s Annual Awards Banquet, on 7 November, at Montecasino.
Share