Learn more about our VIP Council members
The Africa Tech Festival VIP Council brings together senior leaders, and decision-makers shaping Africa’s digital future. As returning VIP guests, our Council members help refine the Festival’s VIP programme, ensure premium experiences for senior executives, and extend the Festival’s reach through their networks. Their insight helps us deliver meaningful content, impactful connections, and an experience that reflects the diversity and ambition of Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Seaparo Phala
Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DAC)
Seaparo Phala has served in government in different capacities and has over 20 years ICT experience in the public sector. He is an unapologetic proponent of open source software systems. His current interests includes AI and Machine Learning and is currently pursuing a post-graduate qualification in Futures Studies (Managing New Technologies). He has received several awards in the ICT industry.
What he says to say about Africa Tech Festival:
“ATF is a meeting of the brightest ICT minds in Africa. It always provides one with a futuristic view of technological developments, trends and patterns”
Tania Langenhoven
CEO, Continent Hotels South Africa
Tania Langenhoven serves as the custodian of the brand, which launched in the country just a year ago. With a deep commitment to excellence in hospitality, she has been pivotal in establishing Continent Hotels as a key player in the South African market.
Under her leadership, the brand focuses on delivering exceptional guest experiences while leveraging innovative technologies to streamline operations and enhance service delivery. Tania is dedicated to expanding Continent Hotels throughout the African continent, fostering partnerships that align with the brand’s vision of quality and connectivity.
With a strong emphasis on collaboration and community engagement, she aims to position Continent Hotels as a preferred choice for travelers across Africa.
What she says to say about Africa Tech Festival:
Attending the Africa Tech Festival last year was a transformative experience. The event provided an invaluable platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring innovative solutions in the hospitality sector. I had the privilege of engaging with industry leaders and tech innovators, which ultimately led to a fruitful partnership that has enhanced our service offerings at Continent Hotels.
The insights gained from the festival have not only informed our strategic direction but also sparked initiatives that embrace technology to elevate our guests' experiences. I am excited to bring these insights to the founding VIP Council and to continue collaborating with like-minded professionals to drive innovation in our industries.
Ms. Gugu Mthembu
Chief Marketing Officer: Telkom Consumer and Small Business, Telkom SA
Gugu Mthembu, with a career spanning over 20 years in ICT and marketing, is as passionate about developing and growing iconic brands as she is about facilitating diversity and inclusion. With a breadth of skills rooted in information technology, she transitioned into marketing, recognising it as the domain where she would add the most value.
Gugu drives the brand and commercial strategy of one of South Africa's fastest-growing telecommunications brands and has been the Chief Marketing Officer for Telkom since 2020. Under her stewardship are the data science & CVM, product development & management, customer experience and segments, brand & marketing communications and digital marketing teams.
A respected voice within the global marketing and advertising communities, Gugu serves as jury, speaker and council member for various industry organisations, locally and globally and also serves on the boards of public benefit organisations as a way of giving back to society and her profession.
Oscar Benjamin
Head of IT for MEA, APAC, and GEM at BIC
Oscar Benjamin is a seasoned Strategic IT Leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformative technology initiatives that align with organizational goals and deliver measurable business impact. Currently serving as Head of IT for MEA, APAC, and GEM, Oscar has a proven track record of managing diverse, geographically dispersed teams and fostering a culture of innovation across multiple industries, including FMCG, Manufacturing, Health & Fitness, and Insurance.
Recognized for his people-centric leadership style, Oscar champions collaboration and empowers high-performing teams to achieve excellence. His passion lies in leveraging technology as a strategic enabler, driving growth & propelling operational efficiency. With a deep expertise in IT strategy, governance, and solution delivery, Oscar consistently bridges the gap between business objectives and technology capabilities, ensuring sustainable success in complex global environments.
