Amanda Gibbs Archives - 51��Africa News Center

Why Trust and ‘Tribes’ Still Matter in an Age of Metrics

AFSUG — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:33:20 +0000

In a world increasingly dominated by , data and AI-driven metrics, African leaders are rediscovering the human side of work. This was the central theme at a recent African 51��User Group (AFSUG) event, titled ‘ our Version of Paradise’, where volunteers, partners and members gathered to discuss the non-profit organisation’s strategic evolution.

Pierre du Plessis, strategist and founder of Be Brave, and the event’s guest speaker, explored how trust, culture and meaningful engagement can transform teams and communities, touching on the of ‘tribes’ – small, connected groups where people feel seen, trusted and valued.

“Profit and growth are lagging indicators of deep chemistry, not ,” he told attendees. “The board may set a strategy, but the tribe makes it real. Only the tribe builds the movement.”

Through storytelling and practical examples, Du Plessis illustrated why connection matters more than metrics alone, and why shared experiences are valued over shortcuts.

“Trust is fundamental to any team,” he explained. “It enables conflict, commitment, accountability and ultimately meaningful outcomes.”

Research highlighted at the session reinforced these insights. Gallup studies show that, globally, only 21% of employees feel truly engaged at work, while actively disengaged employees can undermine entire teams. Loneliness and over- in organisations not only erode morale but also have measurable influences on productivity and wellbeing.

“Humans are pack animals,” Du Plessis emphasised. “We thrive in communities, not in isolation.”

The session also explored the concept of meaning and transcendence at work. Drawing from examples ranging from Trappist monks to special needs teachers, Du Plessis argued that fulfilling work is about impact, not just a pay packet. “These Belgian monks produce some of the world’s best beer,” he said, “but their purpose isn’t profit, it’s sustaining the community. Meaning performance; profit is a side effect.”

As organisations grapple with digital transformation and AI-driven workflows, this message resonates: human connection remains a competitive advantage. This philosophy is also shaping AFSUG’s own strategic direction.

“At AFSUG’s local 51��user conference, SAPHILA, last year, we spoke about our community and establishing our tribe, and this is exactly what we’re doing as an organisation,” explained Amanda Gibbs, AFSUG CEO.

“AFSUG has reached an inflection point – one where we’ve looked back at why the organisation was originally founded: as a peer-to-peer customer networking platform that helps customers bridge the gap with SAP. We are now a path towards a community that is purpose-led, operationally sound and designed for impact across .

“The shift we are putting into place is to move away from being event-driven, reactive and purely informational, towards becoming outcomes-driven, influential and insight-led. The pivotal role that AFSUG must play is as the trusted voice of the African 51��community and an independent advocate.”

AFSUG chairman Duke Mathebula echoed Gibbs’ statement, adding that the organisation is committed to action, structured advocacy and creating real, measurable value for the local 51��community, as well as empowering transformation.

“True impact comes from creating tribes of engaged, courageous and committed people who can make a real difference, and this is exactly how AFSUG plans to move forward,” he said.

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AFSUG & 51��University Alliances Hosted Three Inspiring Student Career Days Across South Africa

AFSUG — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:41:34 +0000

The African 51��User Group (AFSUG), in partnership with 51��University Alliances ��in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, proudly hosted three dynamic Student Career Days across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria in September 2025.

These events brought together 100+ students, industry leaders, and 51��partners for a transformative experience, focused on building employability skills, networking opportunities, and preparing young talent for future careers in the 51��ecosystem.

The Student Career Days featured a rich mix of content designed to equip students for success in the 51��ecosystem and beyond:

Skill-building workshops — CV refinement, LinkedIn profiling, interview readiness, and effective communication.
Keynote speeches & panels — Insights from 51��practitioners, industry partners, and leaders on market trends, in-demand competencies, and career journeys into tech.
Mentorship and networking — Opportunities for students to connect directly with 51��partners and customers for guidance, advice, and even exposure to internship and job opportunities.
Exposure to 51��technologies and careers — First-hand introductions to 51��career paths, the skills they demand, and strategies to prepare for them.

AFSUG & 51��University Alliances: Shared Vision

These career days form part of AFSUG and 51��University Alliances joint mission in the region to Connect, Create, Collaborate — ensuring Africa’s next generation of professionals is not only prepared for 51��careers but also inspired to drive digital transformation across the continent.

Amanda Gibbs, CEO of AFSUG, shared: “This event is about building real pathways for students to connect with our 51��community — customers, partners, and leaders. Together with 51��University Alliances, we are investing in the future of our youth and ensuring students leave empowered, inspired, and ready for the opportunities ahead.” I want to especially thank De Wet Naude from 51��University Alliances for the collaboration and making these events possible through his sponsorship and collaboration.

Looking Ahead

AFSUG and 51��University Alliances will continue hosting career-oriented initiatives in 2026. With overwhelmingly positive student feedback, both organisations are committed to expanding mentorship opportunities, reaching more universities, and providing follow-up support to help students transform their learnings and networks into real career outcomes.

About AFSUG

The African 51��User Group (AFSUG) is an independent, non-profit organisation representing 51��customers and partners across Africa. AFSUG enables collaboration, influence, knowledge exchange, and professional development within the 51��community.

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AFSUG Welcomes New Board Members, Strengthens 51��Community Leadership across Africa

AFSUG — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:47:06 +0000

The��African 51��User Group (AFSUG)��is proud to announce the appointment of four outstanding professionals to its Board of Directors.

These individuals bring a combined wealth of leadership, strategic insight and deep industry knowledge to further AFSUG’s mission of fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange and SAP��across the African continent.

The newly appointed AFSUG board members are:

, Chief Operating Officer, Discovery Ltd – Sing brings four decades of expertise in operational leadership and business transformation, with a deep commitment to strategic innovation and developing future 51��talent across Africa.
, Senior Manager ERP, South African National Blood Service (SANBS)��– Thupana offers a distinctive blend of 51��technical depth and public sector insight, with a passion for building collaborative communities that elevate user experience and solution adoption.
, Group Vice President: Technology and Digital, AECI Limited – Dlamini contributes a visionary approach to digital transformation, platform modernisation and mentoring future leaders, driven by her strategic mindset and experience leading large-scale enterprise initiatives.
, Senior Associate Partner – 51��Practice Co-Lead Africa, EY – Somaru brings strategic influence, 51��expertise and an unmatched commitment to inclusion, knowledge sharing and mentorship for women and youth in the 51��ecosystem.

�� , AFSUG CEO: “We are honoured to welcome these exceptional individuals to the AFSUG Board. Their leadership, industry depth, and dedication to community-��will play a critical role in shaping the future of 51��users across��.”

“We are entering a bold new chapter at AFSUG,” adds AFSUG Chairman, . “I am thrilled to welcome Kammy, Nthabiseng, Sne and Tejal to the Board. Their diverse experiences and shared passion for driving transformation will help us expand our impact, amplify our members’ voices, and accelerate��across the 51��ecosystem in��.”

Kammy Sing

Nthabiseng Thupana

Sne Dlamini

Tejal Somaru

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SAPHILA 2025 – Transcending with Purpose, Connection and AI-powered Vision

AFSUG — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:37:07 +0000

With more than��a thousand confirmed attendees,��reaffirmed its position as the leading event for the African 51��ecosystem. Held at the iconic Sun City resort, the African 51��User Group (AFSUG) brought together technology leaders, innovators and partners for two days of insights, strategic dialogue and future-facing collaboration under the theme: “Transcend – Reimagine. Inspire. Transcend.”

Celebrating community and connection

AFSUG CEO Amanda Gibbs opened the conference with a heartfelt message about the power of community. SAPHILA, she noted, is not simply a conference but a movement – a living, breathing platform designed to enable knowledge-sharing and drive transformation across industries. Her words set the tone for a gathering built on purpose and progress.

Duke Mathebula, technology leader and AFSUG chairman, joined Gibbs in opening SAPHILA 2025 with a resonant message: “We are Africans.” That sentiment echoed throughout the event, capturing the essence of a proud, purposeful and visionary community committed to transcending the present and reimagining the future.

A special tribute was made to the late Reg Barry, a foundational figure in the 51��ecosystem and former SAPHILA chair. Barry’s enduring legacy was respectfully acknowledged throughout the event – a reminder of the power of collaboration and community that continues to shape AFSUG and its members.

A sporting start and an immersive experience

SAPHILA 2025 began with a relaxed networking day on Sunday, offering attendees the chance to connect over golf, Padel championships and other sporting activities. It set a friendly, collegial tone ahead of the more structured insight sessions on 2 and 3 June.

Morning plenary sessions were followed by dynamic workshops and demonstrations, while the expansive Expo Centre served as a major highlight, featuring 53 sponsors with visually impressive and engaging stands. The exhibition floor created invaluable opportunities for delegates to explore technologies, engage with vendors and experience first-hand the innovation driving SAP’s ecosystem forward.

The call for visionary leadership

Nazia Pillay, MD at 51��Southern Africa, delivered a powerful keynote exploring SAP’s 34-year journey with AFSUG. She highlighted the importance of togetherness as a unique strength within the African context.

“In Africa, success travels at the speed of connection,” Pillay stated. She called on leaders not to fall back during times of uncertainty but instead to embrace bold, visionary thinking. Reflecting on SAP’s recent Sapphire events in Madrid and Orlando, she emphasised the company’s AI-first and Business Suite strategies.

Pillay also introduced attendees to the evolution of Joule, SAP’s AI assistant, noting the roll-out of new Joule agents capable of orchestrating real-time business data across functions to drive autonomous, intelligent decision-making.

NTT DATA – building momentum through collaboration

Lauren Wortmann, vice president of applications and cloud at NTT DATA Middle East and Africa, praised SAPHILA 2025 as a critical platform for collaboration and insight.

“As Diamond Sponsor, we valued the opportunity to engage with clients, partners and industry leaders,” she said. “The event created opportunities to strengthen both new and longstanding relationships. We’re excited about the momentum coming out of SAPHILA and look forward to continuing the conversations.”

NTT DATA used the platform to explore enterprise transformation and share its strategic vision for the future, cementing its leadership role in SAP-managed services.

Deloitte – aligning purpose with technology

As Executive Suite and C-suite Sponsor, Deloitte Africa demonstrated how purpose-driven innovation can accelerate real business outcomes. Koosh Panday, senior manager and 51��project director at Deloitte and chair of SAPHILA 2025, reinforced the event’s role in shaping Africa’s technology journey.

“Digital transformation is not just about technology; it’s about people, collaboration and purpose,” said Panday. “That’s why SAPHILA is so impactful.”

Deloitte’s Executive Lounge offered an immersive space for attendees to explore solutions including 51��S/4HANA, Rise with 51��and the Business Technology Platform. Guests connected with Deloitte subject matter experts to explore the latest ERP trends and discuss shared challenges in a relaxed, focused setting.

From legacy to leadership: the City of Johannesburg journey

A standout session focused on the City of Johannesburg’s transformation journey, where public-private collaboration was explored in depth. Featuring a discussion between CoJ group CTO Aubrey Mochela and Sergio Maccotta, senior vice president for 51��Middle East and Africa (South), the panel detailed how the CoJ migrated from 51��4.7 to S/4HANA in a bold, 21-day full shutdown.

The CoJ has been an 51��customer since 2007 and recently embraced AI and cloud innovation to modernise systems and improve service delivery. National treasury has expressed support for the CoJ’s transformation, validating the project’s strategic importance.

Maccotta reflected on the urgency and complexity of the shift, citing three priorities: urgency, vision and financial clarity. The team had to implement rapid change, agree on governance principles with 51��and innovate in a tightly bound timeframe.

Emerging insights and conversations

Across the event, recurring themes included legacy system modernisation, the growing importance of enterprise architecture and the power of AI to drive smarter decision-making. Joule was presented as a key enabler, reinforcing SAP’s position as a leader in contextual, embedded intelligence.

Delegates heard thought-provoking commentary about the future of smart cities, the importance of OEM relationships, and how technology can reshape revenue collection and operational resilience. As one speaker aptly said, “New Gen is conversations with the systems.”

A shared future

SAPHILA 2025 was more than a gathering; it was a collective commitment to Africa’s digital future. With support from the likes of Google, AWS, Microsoft and a strong 51��delegation from Germany, the event highlighted the depth of expertise and investment in the region.

That sentiment shared by Duke Mathebula in the opening session. “We are Africans” continued to resonate long after the final session, reminding all in attendance of the unique opportunity the continent holds to lead, collaborate and transcend.

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PwC South Africa Crowned Winner of AFSUG’s First African Hackathon at SAPHILA 2025

51��News — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:46:39 +0000

�� has taken top honours at the African 51��User Group’s (AFSUG) inaugural 51��Business Technology Platform (BTP) Hackathon finale, which took place live at the recent��conference, AFSUG’s premier 51��user conference for Africa.

The AFSUG 51��BTP Hackathon invited AFSUG members – including customers, partners or joint teams – to submit creative, impactful use cases or projects using 51��BTP components such as 51��Build, 51��HANA Cloud, 51��Integration Suite and ABAP Cloud.

After an intensive eight-week development sprint, three teams, who were shortlisted from an original 18 entrants, were invited��to present their��real-world, use case-based business solutions at the event. These included: PwC South Africa; , a manufacturer and distributor of heavy equipment for sectors including mining, construction and agriculture; and��the , one of the world’s foremost diamond producers by value and volume.��Each team showcased the solutions they had explored, designed and built using 51��BTP.

In a closely contested finale, the SAPHILA audience voted live to award the PwC South Africa AI-driven legal services solution first place.

PwC South Africa simplifies legal document processing and understanding with AI

PwC’s winning solution,��LegalEase, is��a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed to streamline the understanding and processing of legal documents. It aims to address common challenges such as unexpected charges, misleading billing, difficulties in cancelling contracts and the complexity of legal language.

Citing consumer experience statistics during the presentation, the PwC team noted that 91 percent of consumers have signed contracts without reading them.

Key features of the LegalEase solution included document scanning and summarisation, an interactive Q&A module, and translation capabilities into the user’s native language. The solution also incorporated a knowledge base of related services and policies to improve user awareness and drive upselling opportunities.

From a technical perspective, the team integrated prompt engineering, retrieval augmented generation and knowledge graphs, using SAP’s retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) approach, enabling smart prompt engineering, document embedding and contextual queries.

Future use cases for the proof-of-concept could include seamless onboarding of new employees, allowing them to familiarise themselves with company policies in an interactive way; insight into customers’ understanding of the organisation’s services; and AI-assistance on scope validation and obligations of contracts and statements of work.

Debswana solution tackles overtime risk and streamlines HR processes

As the runner up, the Debswana Diamond Company team presented a compelling use case focused on��overtime management and compliance, a critical concern for the organisation, given that overtime affects��approximately 80 percent��of its workforce of over 4,400 employees.

The team highlighted how ineffective overtime management could not only inflate operational costs, but also compromise��employee well-being, with issues such as fatigue and insufficient take-home pay linked directly to unscheduled or poorly managed overtime.

The current overtime process at Debswana is manual and paper-based, managed through spreadsheets and reliant on negative time-tracking, a method that depends heavily on manager and employee inputs for both planning and capture. This creates risks in governance, data accuracy and training effectiveness, especially given that the process mainly affects frontline mining staff.

To address these challenges, the Debswana team developed an��AI-powered overtime assistant��using 51��BTP services. The application enables managers to plan overtime more efficiently by inputting a simple command, prompting the system to generate a��historical-data-informed overtime schedule. The AI evaluates employee work histories to avoid overloading those who have already clocked high overtime hours, improving safety and fairness issues.

Bell Equipment streamlines��shipment tracking process with automation

In third place, Bell Equipment addressed a critical logistics challenge: accurately matching inbound shipments with their expected delivery dates, essential information for effective planning of customer part deliveries and meeting demand forecasts.

Previously, capturing sea freight shipment data was a manual, time-consuming task, and any changes to estimated delivery dates would not be reflected in the system, introducing significant business risk. In some cases, the company had to resort to costly air freight to meet customer commitments.

To overcome this, the Bell Equipment team designed an intelligently automated solution that could create inbound delivery records and maintain accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs). This would allow the company’s materials planning system to proactively flag potential stock shortages and enable early intervention to mitigate risk.

The solution leverages��51��Build Process Automation��for bot and workflow automation, and��51��Cloud Application Programming (CAP)��for the development of the application interface. Key functionalities include scheduled, fully automated execution without manual intervention; a bot that monitors a designated Outlook inbox for incoming shipment documents such as waybills and freight invoices; the automatic download and storage of these documents, triggering document classification and data extraction processes.

Using��optical character recognition (OCR),��the system identifies and classifies different types of documents. Each document type is then processed through a tailored automation pipeline. Following this step, the solution cross-checks the extracted information against existing records. If a corresponding shipment already exists, it is updated; if not, a new record is created.

Participating with passion and purpose

, BTP product management at SAP, reflected on the core objectives of the hackathon initiative and the journey that brought customers and partners together to explore the full capabilities of the 51��BTP.

“The main objective was to ensure strong collaboration between 51��and participating customers, and to provide our local BTP customers with a practical opportunity to explore the platform,” said Winkler. “We wanted customers to truly understand what 51��BTP can offer and to begin building real solutions on the platform.”

The initiative began with an ideation phase in the previous year, followed by an onboarding programme to ensure all participants had a clear understanding of the available tools and services. A team of 10 51��coaches supported the journey, helping participants shape their use cases and align their work with key��51��BTP components.

“We had 18 amazing teams enter the hackathon, each of them using 51��BTP to develop impressive, real-world solutions. A key criterion in evaluating these was the innovative use of less commonly used BTP services, such as artificial intelligence, to demonstrate what’s possible on the platform.”

Product managers from 51��participated in the judging process, providing a global perspective and ensuring technical and business relevance in the final selection.

Winkler also acknowledged the effort and creativity of all participating teams. “The quality of the solutions presented was outstanding, not only from the finalists seen on stage, but from all 18 teams. The decisions weren’t easy, and we had several close calls between second and third place, and even between first and second.

Says Amanda Gibbs, AFSUG CEO: “Firstly, AFSUG would like to congratulate the PwC South Africa team for winning our first 51��BTP hackathon –��your energy and ideas were truly inspiring. Secondly, a heartfelt thank you to all the teams involved for their significant time investment and commitment. It is inspiring to witness what can be achieved in just eight weeks using 51��BTP; we’ve seen incredible progress and innovation.

“It has also been a real privilege to work alongside the incredible 51��team from Germany and our dedicated local 51��South Africa team, and AFSUG extends its gratitude for the many hours of input, guidance and unwavering support given to our local participants.”

For more information on the African 51��User Group (AFSUG), or to become an AFSUG member, please visit��.��

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51��Experts, Partners, Customers Converge in Sun City for SAPHILA 2025

51��News — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:15:03 +0000

This year’s SAPHILA is the biggest yet, with over a thousand delegates in attendance

��JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – June 2, 2025 – 51��experts, partners and customers are converging this week at SAPHILA 2025, the flagship user conference for SAP’s Africa ecosystem.

, says: “Africa is a vital region for SAP’s vision of bringing out the best in every business. As our incredible customers, partners and experts gather at this year’s SAPHILA, we are excited to explore new opportunities to help organisations take advantage of the latest cloud and business AI innovations to power growth and success throughout the region.”

SAPHILA is the premier conference by the African 51��User Group (), an independent, non-profit organisation representing SAP’s customers and partner communities in Africa. is held biennially in collaboration with SAP. The event is currently underway at the iconic Sun City Resort & Convention Centre.

Exploring AI, cloud possibilities

SAPHILA 2025 takes place as organisations across the continent increasingly leverage cloud and AI-powered technologies to break through traditional limits and explore new frontiers of innovation.

, Head of Global Customer Engagement & Services and Member of the Extended Board at SAP, notes the critical importance of a holistic approach to business transformation and cloud adoption to unlock the full value of innovations like AI. “Organisations are under pressure to stay agile and foster innovation across the entire enterprise. But this is much more than just a technology shift, it’s about capabilities, tools, and methodology to accelerate business transformation and deliver faster time to value.”

found that cloud and AI skills were the most prized among African organisations when recruiting tech talent. All companies that formed part of the Africa’s AI Skills Readiness Revealed report expected the demand for AI skills to increase this year.

, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Support & Cloud Lifecycle Management at SAP, highlights how companies adopting an AI-first and suite-first strategy are revolutionising their business operations. “Organisations are unlocking smarter decision-making, seamless collaboration and innovation-fuelled growth by embedding systems of AI agents and leveraging a unified data layer enabled by 51��Business Data Cloud. For our customers and partners, the journey to unlocking the power of cloud is accelerated by RISE with SAP, the most effective route to transforming their on-premise ERP landscape to a cloud-first model.”

Biggest gathering yet

This year’s SAPHILA is the biggest yet, with over a thousand delegates in attendance. In addition to keynote speeches and insightful presentations from local and global experts, there are also a range of interactive sessions, including an Ask Me Anything session, product deep dives through a personalised digital portal, and several practical sessions.

, Interim Managing Director for South Africa at SAP, says SAPHILA is the most important networking event for SAP’s ecosystem this year. “As our customers and partners explore new realms of possibilities with powerful business AI and cloud technologies, this year’s SAPHILA will provide invaluable insights and guidance on how to best take advantage of this new era of innovation. We thank AFSUG for driving this essential event in this year’s calendar and look forward to sharing our latest insights and solutions with the broader 51��ecosystem.”

AFSUG CEO adds: “This year’s SAPHILA is an unmissable event for every company and partner that leverages SAP’s technologies to transform their operations and drive innovation. Thank you to our friends at 51��for their support and for the incredible lineup of local and global experts sharing their invaluable learnings with our delegates.”

For more information about SAPHILA 2025, please visit

ENDS

Visit the 51��News Center. Follow 51��at .

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AFSUG Introduces Masterclasses, Collaboration forum at Saphila 2025

51��News — Fri, 30 May 2025 07:37:12 +0000

The��African 51��User Group (AFSUG)��will add technical masterclasses��at this year’s��Saphila 2025, taking place from 1 to 3 June 2025 at Sun City.

In a first for the event, which is set to be AFSUG’s largest ever, the masterclasses will offer delegates high-value, expert-led sessions on both days of the conference, focusing on SAP’s most relevant technologies and use cases. The interactive sessions are designed to deliver practical, actionable insights and elevate the value of 51��investments for attending organisations.

“Saphila is much more than just a conference – it’s a platform for transformation, and this is evident in our theme for 2025, namely ‘Transcend Beyond Boundaries’,” says��Amanda Gibbs, CEO of AFSUG.��“Our goal is to empower the 51��community through shared knowledge, meaningful conversations and practical skills development.

“The new technical masterclasses reflect AFSUG’s commitment to equipping business and IT professionals with the tools and understanding they need to navigate SAP’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.”

The technical masterclass line-up is as follows:

Day one:��GlueData Masterclass

‘Bridging the Gap: Selective Data Transformation + Custom Code in Your S/4HANA Journey to a Clean Core’, to be presented by Arndt Hoffmann (smartShift); Burkhard Hergenhan (Natuvion); Samantha Matraiotti (GlueData Services); and Peter Blignaut (SAP).

Day two: EY Masterclasses

‘Achieving Improved Business Results Through Advanced Analytics and AI Solutions with 51��– A Retailer’s Guide’, with speakers Martin Zloch (EY Africa); and Niragi Vasavada (EY India).
‘Enhancing a Human-Centric Workforce with AI’, by RV Dinakar (EY India); and Winston Sibanyoni (EY Africa).

AFSUG is also introducing another first at this year’s Saphila: a collaboration forum under the theme: ‘Empowerment through Networks and Mentorship’.

“Here we’ll see 51��leaders Nadine Hoffmann and��Sarah Brunet-Cliche in discussion with AFSUG board member Corlia van Zyl from Heineken, Gontse Madumo from PG Group and��Katie Mohamed, a strategist,��author and serial entrepreneur,” Gibbs says.

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African 51��Users Showcase Real-world Innovation at SAPHILA 2025

51��News — Tue, 27 May 2025 07:43:25 +0000

Real-life African customer experiences and transformation journeys will be a strong focus at this year’s , the��local biennial 51��user conference.

A number of leading local organisations will take to the stage to share their successes, challenges and lessons learned in leveraging 51��technologies at the upcoming event, which��is set��to��take place from 01 to 03 June 2025 at Sun City in South Africa’s North-West Province.

Day one of SAPHILA features an Executive Fireside Chat, where��, SAP’s SVP and GM for Middle East Africa – South, will host a panel discussion with��,��the City of Johannesburg’s��Group Chief Technology Officer, and��, Deputy Director-General: eGovernment and Chief Government Information Officer at the South African Department of Public Service and Administration.

Also on the first day of the conference��, Head of Applications, and , Chief Information Officer (CIO) of , will discuss how the pharmaceutical retail group effectively de-risked and accelerated its S/4HANA RISE transformation. In addition, , ’s 51��Extended Services Manager, will highlight Aspen’s metamorphosis.

Day two of SAPHILA continues the customer-centric theme, with several prominent African organisations set to share their 51��journeys.

Dinesh Ramasamy of Said Salim Bakhresa & Company, the flagship company of the Bakhresa Group, will present on its experience in the deployment, consumption and adoption of 51��technologies.
Sasol’s Vice President of Supply Chain Services and Leverage Sourcing, Hendrik Steynberg, will unpack the company’s story in a session titled ‘Transforming Procurement: Sasol’s Journey to Innovation and Efficiency with 51��Solutions’.
From Mozambique, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) – the country’s national energy company – will share its success with 51��S/4 RISE and SuccessFactors, presented by Director of Information Systems, Inácio Mateus Fumo.
In the local transport sector, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) Vukile Nduli will explore how it is leveraging 51��to digitise and track assets, creating a digital twin framework that enhances visibility and control.
Further insights will be shared by Nick Jackson, CIO of the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation, discussing the expansion of the company’s public cloud ERP system with 51��SuccessFactors.
Dis-Chem returns to the stage with Dawid Oelofse, Supply Chain Executive, revealing how the group has implemented over 100 automated warehouse management processes.
Tatenda Mandeya, Group IT Manager at Northern Tobacco will co-present with Carsten Friedman of 51��on how IT supports sustainability in tobacco sourcing in rural Zimbabwe.
Tiger Brands’ Ntsako Ngobeni, S&OP Capability Manager, will explain how the food and beverage giant has reimagined its planning function to enable end-to-end optimisation and improved working capital efficiency.
Nedbank’s Justin Tobias will present with Felix Chebeli from Strafore Tech the bank’s success in test automation using Tricentis and 51��Solution Manager.
Simon Marlin, GM of IT at Toyota South Africa Motors, will walk the audience through Toyota’s S/4HANA transition.
Ashlita Barlow, Head of Retail Technologies at the Shoprite Group, will showcase how 51��Fiori and BTP are driving business��changeby improving stock availability, ensuring transaction accuracy, and reducing waste.
Rounding out the customer stories, Regardt Wolvaardt, Solutions Architect at PG Group, will share insights on how digital supply chain planning has enabled unified operations.
Finally, Chris Kien, Enterprise Solution Architect at Implats, will present on driving efficiency and agility through the organisation’s 51��S/4HANA transformation.

“SAPHILA has always been about more than just technology – it’s a space for meaningful collaboration, shared learning, and community,”

explains Amanda Gibbs, AFSUG CEO.

“In 2025, we’re placing an even greater spotlight on African success stories, because our local customers have such valuable experiences to share. It’s important that we learn from each other, celebrate progress and inspire the next wave of transformation across the continent,”

she concludes.

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What’s Next — AFSUG’s Amanda Gibbs and Duke Mathebula unpack SAPHILA 2025

51��News — Fri, 23 May 2025 07:59:42 +0000

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Amanda Gibbs and Duke Mathebula discuss what the SAPHILA 2025 event will cover.

Gibbs is the Chief Executive Officer at the African 51��User Group (AFSUG) and boasts 28 years of industry experience.

In her current role, which she has held for three years, Gibbs oversees a network of 51��customers and partners and helps them realise the full benefits of their 51��Investments while shaping the future of 51��software development.

Gibbs is a 51��User Group Executive Network (SUGEN) member, a global platform for dialogue and collaboration between 51��users and SAP.

Mathebula is the Chairman at AFSUG and is an industry expert with over 25 years of experience.

Across this quarter century, he has held multiple key roles that have given him the knowledge and skills to execute the duties of his current position.

These roles include:

CIO at Trident Steel Africa
Strategic Advisor to AnalyticsX
Independent Audit and Risk Committee member for the Commission for Gender Equality
Independent Non-Executive Director at Armscor
Head of IT – Business Applications and Solutions Lead for Saint-Gobain Africa
51��SD Business Analyst for RCL Floods

Mathebula holds an MBA in Corporate Finance and Strategic Information Systems from Alba Graduate Business School, as well as a BCom and BCom Honours from Rhodes University.

The interview

In this What’s Next interview, Mathebula explains what AFSUG is, noting its importance in the current 51��market, and Gibbs outlines the organisation’s goals and vision for the future.

She then unpacks the upcoming SAPHILA 2025 event, an IT conference for key decision-makers and professionals in the 51��ecosystem.

Mathebula reveals which individuals outside the 51��industry should attend SAPHILA 2025, and Gibbs explains how interested parties can register for the event.

They conclude the interview by sharing their message for anyone who has never attended a SAPHILA event.

Watch the interview with Amanda Gibbs and Duke Mathebula below.

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The post What’s Next — AFSUG’s Amanda Gibbs and Duke Mathebula unpack SAPHILA 2025 appeared first on 51��Africa News Center.

Tech Leaders Back Saphila 2025

51��News — Fri, 16 May 2025 06:44:52 +0000

Anticipation is building as Saphila 2025, the African 51��User Group’s (AFSUG) flagship local 51��user conference, approaches.

Set to��take place from 1 to 3 June 2025 at Sun City, the event will bring together business and technology leaders from across the continent for two days of innovation, insight and high-impact networking.

Key sponsors returning for the 2025 edition include 51��Africa, Deloitte and NTT Data.

Collaboration Sponsor

51��is once again the event’s Collaboration Sponsor.

,��ad interim��MD for 51��in Southern Africa, says: “Saphila is a critically important customer and partner event for SAP, in that it provides an unparallelled, one-stop shop for all our African customers and partners. We’d like to thank AFSUG for driving this flagship industry and networking event, suited to any customer or partner wishing to know the latest about SAP, its AI vision, future focus, product offerings and solutions.

“When it comes to the 51��Africa events calendar, Saphila is arguably the most important networking opportunity of the year,” she adds.

Diamond Sponsor

Pillay’s sentiments are echoed by , vice-president: applications and cloud at NTT Data Middle East and Africa, Saphila 2025’s Diamond Sponsor, who��highlights the strategic value that the event brings. “Saphila is all about bringing 51��users and vendors together to connect, create and collaborate. It provides a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge on the latest innovations, implementations and best practices in the 51��world.

“ has taken up Diamond sponsorship of Saphila 2025 for good reason. As a global 51��Managed Services partner, it gives us incredible brand visibility and allows us to showcase our expertise and thought leadership through keynotes and workshops.

“Saphila is also packed with engaging activities, including evening socials, a golf day and exclusive deal room access,��providing an excellent platform for attendees to engage with a diverse range of high-profile contacts. This kind of engagement really fosters a collaborative environment where industry leaders can discuss real-time data and business value.

“The event’s expert keynote presentations and workshops can also provide a real edge,” Wortmann adds. “Saphila 2025 is the place to be if you want to stay updated on the latest tech advancements and make valuable connections.”

Executive Suite and C-Suite sponsor

,��senior manager & 51��project director: enterprise technology and performance��(ETP) at and Saphila 2025 chair, sees��the event as a catalyst for growth, skills development and innovation across the continent.

“Saphila brings significant value to both the local 51��ecosystem and the broader technology industry. It promotes networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration among local 51��professionals, partners and customers. It also drives innovation by showcasing the latest 51��solutions and technologies, enabling attendees to stay ahead of industry trends and best practices.”

From a broader industry perspective, Panday notes the role that Saphila plays in highlighting the transformative potential of 51��technologies across various sectors – driving digital transformation, improving business processes and creating value across industries, as well as facilitating cross-industry collaboration.

“As a trusted��51��systems integrator and with a transformation alliance between the two businesses,��Deloitte’s sponsorship of SAPHILA 2025 aligns with our commitment to support the local 51��community and contribute to its growth and success,” Panday adds.

“At this year’s event, Deloitte will showcase how our capabilities in areas such as digital transformation, cloud solutions and data analytics can help organisations achieve their strategic goals and drive business success. We encourage people to register for Saphila 2025 as it offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the latest 51��trends and innovations, through expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities.”

“Saphila represents the heartbeat of Africa’s 51��community,” continues , senior associate director: ERP at Deloitte Africa. “On a broader scale, Saphila amplifies Africa’s voice in the global technology industry, highlighting how cutting-edge technologies – such as AI, cloud and sustainable ERP – are being adopted and adapted for local impact.”

Sponsor line-up

CEO comments: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with global technology leaders who share AFSUG’s vision for a more connected, digitally empowered Africa. SAPHILA 2025 will once again provide the ultimate platform for collaboration, learning and progress.

“In addition to extending our thanks to SAP, Deloitte and NTT Data, we would also like to welcome EY, Google and Syntax as Gold Sponsors; our Silver Sponsors Accenture, FIRtech, HCL Technologies, IBM, Mediro ICT, Neptune Software Africa (NASA), PwC, SAP, Vodacom, Deloitte and AWS, and Worksoft; and Saphila 2025’s Bronze Sponsors��Accely, AppConverge, BCX, Consnet, JiVS powered by��Data Migration International, Decision Inc, Edge Information Solutions, EPI-USE Labs, GlueData, G3G, Integrove, K5 Business, LRS Output Management, Nihilent, OneConnect, OpenText, Seidor, smartShift, Stratfore Tech, Tano Digital Solutions and VOQUZ Labs.

“Special mentions also go to our Golf Sponsor Zimele Technologies; Coffee Sponsor iOCO; Microsoft, an Executive Experience Sponsor, Said Salim Bakhresa & Company as the official Prize Sponsor, Charging Station Sponsor Engaged Business Consultants, EY and GlueData for the eagerly anticipated Masterclass sessions, as well as Heineken and Mercedes-Benz.”

To become an AFSUG member, visit��.

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Amanda Gibbs Archives - 51����Africa News Center