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Anthony Zidan Kinnear - South Africa's 10 Most Prominent CEOs to Watch.pdf
This edition features "South Africa's 10 Most Prominent CEOs to Watch", who is at the forefront of shaping our digital future.
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Anthony Zidan Kinnear - South Africa's 10 Most Prominent CEOs to Watch.pdf
- 1. Kinnear Zidan Anthony Zidan Kinnear ChiefExecutive Officer Formulated IT Group South Africa's Most Prominent to Watch Anthony
- 2. Leadership is not about being Itis about making everyone else better. the best.
- 4. Editor’s Editor’s N o te N o t e
- 5. The Power Behind Progress sSouth Africa’s business landscape continues to evolve, the role of Avisionary leadership has never been more crucial. In 2025, the country’s top CEOs are not only driving economic growth but also fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in their respective industries. These leaders are setting new benchmarks in corporate excellence, guiding their organizations through complex challenges while seizing emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing global economy. In this special edition, we spotlight South Africa’s 10 Most Prominent CEOs to Watch—trailblazers who are redefining business leadership with bold strategies, transformative initiatives, and a deep commitment to progress. From technology and finance to energy and retail, these CEOs are spearheading industry advancements, ensuring resilience, and shaping the future of South Africa’s economic landscape. What sets these leaders apart is their ability to navigate market shifts with agility, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and drive sustainable business models that create lasting impact. Beyond their corporate achievements, they are also playing a pivotal role in fostering economic empowerment, job creation, and community development, solidifying South Africa’s position as a competitive force on the global stage. As we delve into their journeys, leadership philosophies, and strategic visions, we gain valuable insights into what it takes to lead with purpose and drive meaningful change in today’s dynamic business environment. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and forward-thinking leadership in shaping a prosperous future. Join us as we celebrate these 10 Prominent CEOs to Watch in 2025, whose influence extends far beyond the boardroom, inspiring the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs across South Africa and beyond.
- 7. 16 20 A R TI C L E S 5 Key Practices for Effective CEO Leadership South African Business Growth Trends in the Digital Era C O V E R S T O R Y C o n t e n t s 08 Anthony Zidan Kinnear Empowering Growth Through Strategic Partnerships
- 8. Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Visualizer Art& Design Head Co-designer Business Development Manager Marketing Manager Business Development Executives Digital Marketing Manager Technical Head Research Analyst Circulation Manager Merry D'Souza Alaya Brown Eva Miller Michael Warner Donna Claus Yasmin Nasser Sherin Rodricks Jenny Jordan Reem Almasoud, Sheldon Miller Isabel Barnes Phil Simon Helena Smith Finn Wilson [email protected] February, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success. Corporate Ofce Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-859-2600 Email: [email protected] For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.com RNI No.: MAHENG/2018/75953 Follow us on : www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ www.x.com/insightssuccess We are also available on :
- 9. Brief Craig Nowitz CEO Dan Vahaba CEO JevronEpstein CEO Bryan Ha ngh CEO Under Anthony's leadership, FITG delivers cu ng-edge IT solu ons tailored to businesses across various industries, ensuring seamless integra on, security, and opera onal efficiency. Under Craig's leadership, Syntech has evolved into a trusted name, delivering high-performance products, strategic partnerships, and excep onal customer experiences. With a strong background in financial technology and digital innova on, Dan has been instrumental in shaping Payer.io’s strategic vision, product development, and market expansion. With a focus on innova on and excellence, Jevron leads GenEx in delivering cu ng-edge learning solu ons that empower individuals and organiza ons across various industries. With a career spanning execu ve coaching, corporate innova on, and strategic consul ng, Bryan has been instrumental in guiding businesses through growth, change, and digital evolu on. Anthony (Zidan) Kinnear CEO Pieter Grobbelaar CEO Stanley Rabasotho CEO Thato Matsipe CEO Lerato Dontache CEO With a proven track record in leadership, technology, and business development, Pieter has played a pivotal role in helping organiza ons op mize their opera ons and drive sustainable growth. Stanley is commi ed to leveraging technology to create value-driven solu ons that enhance opera onal efficiency and long-term success. With a strong background in innova on, strategic leadership, and business development, Thato has played a pivotal role in shaping PeoIT’s vision and expanding its influence in the tech industry. Lerato has been instrumental in driving innova on, digital transforma on, and customer-centric services within the telecom sector. Tobias Doyer CEO UnderTobias' leadership, GrainSA Group con nues to support farmers, agribusinesses, and stakeholders by providing market insights, advanced farming techniques, and advocacy for sustainable agricultural prac ces. Featuring Formulated IT Group fitg.co.za Syntech syntech.co.za Payer.io payer.io GenEx genexins tute.com Cycan cycan.co.za 360in1 Consul ng 360in1.co.za MCPM Technologies mcpm.tech PeoIT peoit.co.za NxaTel nxa.tel GrainSA Group grainsa.com Company
- 10. Empowering Growth ThroughStrategic Partnerships Kinnear Zidan
- 11. Manickavasagam Palaniandy CEO Lean Partner AnthonyZidan Kinnear Chief Executive Officer Formulated IT Group
- 12. The Most VisionaryLeader to Follow in 2025 n a world where technology often feels like an Iuncharted labyrinth, some individuals possess the rare ability to unlock doors others can't even see. Years ago, when security and connectivity were mere buzzwords, he recognized the need for a comprehensive approach, one that bridged the gap between an organization's vision and its technological infrastructure. It was in this pursuit that he discovered the key to unlocking limitless potential. This visionary was Anthony Zidan Kinnear, CEO of Formulated IT Group (FITG). By understanding the intricacies of security, stability, and connectivity, Anthony transformed FITG into a beacon of innovation. His approach was simple yet profound: ensuring every connection to the network was not only secure but seamless, allowing businesses to work without hesitation. Today, FITG stands as a testament to its ability to navigate the complexities of technology and open doors to a future where connectivity knows no bounds. A Journey of Sales Mastery Anthony has dedicated 25 years to the sales industry, beginning his career as a direct door-to-door salesman, a role he still deeply values and respects. In just three years, he rose to become the youngest sales manager at his company. By the age of 26, he took on the role of Sales Director at one of the world’s largest global laser printing companies. At 28, Anthony embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, founding his first company, Formulated IT Group (FITG), which he has nurtured and grown into a group of businesses over the past 17 years. Through his journey, Anthony has learned one invaluable lesson: always develop, always learn, and always focus on making the sale. Mastering Data, Security, and Self-Management Anthony understands the immense value of data; he sees it as money. Gaining insights into a competitor’s profile, when done ethically, provides a significant edge. In today’s world, protecting company information and intellectual property (IP) is paramount, and for FITG, security is both a challenge and an opportunity. The company doesn't just manage security; it ensures that everything connected to the network is secure. While it may seem old school, Anthony firmly believes in the power of micromanagement. Though time-consuming, this approach teaches people how to manage themselves. After all, you either know how to manage your time and tasks, or you don’t. At FITG, living a diary-driven life, where "when, where, and how" are meticulously planned, is an essential part of the company’s culture, ensuring accountability and nurturing discipline within the team. Ensuring Stability and Control Seven years ago, FITG adopted a strategic approach focused on the critical role of connectivity in hosted or cloud services. For Anthony, the key question is: Is the connection stable enough to host everything needed offsite, from PBX systems to servers, software, or even all of it? Speed is another crucial factor. Understanding the unique requirements to complete workflows, especially those dependent on tight deadlines and productivity, is essential. That’s why running a Proof of Concept (POC) is so important—ensuring the right fit before committing to a solution. In Anthony's view, having hardware onsite remains more stable, reliable, and within his control. With this setup, he can directly manage and oversee nearly every aspect of the operation, which provides a level of assurance and flexibility that cloud-based solutions may not always offer. Understanding, Respecting, and Securing Client Needs At FITG, Anthony and his team interact with a wide variety of people every day, each with their own unique perspectives and experiences. The team understands the importance of respecting others' time, experiences, suggestions, and involvement in order to build meaningful relationships. At FITG, the focus is on first understanding the client’s needs, followed by gaining respect through thoughtful and effective implementation. Acknowledging and respecting different environments and individuals is at the heart of their collaborative approach, fostering long- term success. The team at FITG takes great pride in their process, which is simple yet highly effective: they follow a proven, In Anthony's view, having hardware onsite remains more stable, reliable, and within his control. With this setup, he can directly manage and oversee nearly every aspect of the operation, which provides a level of assurance and flexibility that cloud-based solutions may not always offer. South Africa's 10 Most Prominent CEOs to Watch
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- 15. gearing up foran exciting expansion in 2025. For those who are passionate about industries aligned with FITG’s work and envision a future filled with opportunities, now may be the perfect time to connect. FITG could be the "big brother" that provides the tools, guidance, and support needed to help launch your own tech business in the near future. Anthony emphasizes the vital importance of reputation and word-of-mouth in building strong business relationships. He believes that partnerships and collaborations are opportunities to share knowledge, gain insights, and receive support. At FITG, this dynamic is a two-way street, always about mutual benefit and growth. Empowerment Through Smart Partnerships At FITG, empowering others is at the core of their philosophy. Anthony believes in the value of finding a "big brother"—someone with experience, a solid reputation, and a history of learning from mistakes. A mentor who not only provides guidance but also offers the opportunity to absorb knowledge and leverage their success. He draws inspiration from companies like Uber, Booking.com, and Airbnb. These businesses own very little but leverage the assets and strengths of others to drive their success. It’s a model that exemplifies the power of collaboration, resourcefulness, and smart partnerships, principles that FITG values deeply. structured approach. This includes conducting thorough audits of IT infrastructure, software, and everything connected to the client’s network. While advanced software is used for this process, a manual checklist is also followed to ensure accuracy. The first step is understanding the client’s need for security, the second is identifying the connectivity requirements, and the third step is where FITG applies their secret, an approach that consistently delivers results. Vision for Growth and Collaboration in 2025 2024 was a year of both triumphs and valuable lessons for Anthony and his team at FITG. Looking ahead, they are While it may seem old school, Anthony firmly believes in the power of micromanagement. Though time- consuming, this approach teaches people how to manage themselves. After all, you either know how to manage your time and tasks, or you don’t.
- 17. "The CEO’s jobis leadership, not management.” - Ben Horowitz
- 18. 5 Key Practicesfor Effective CEO Leadership uccessful leadership is the foundation of every Ssuccessful business, and CEOs are the key drivers of business growth, innovation, and long-term success. CEOs today need strategic thinking as a mindset to enable them to tackle challenges, motivate people, and build lasting value in today's fast-paced business environment. Leadership is not about decision-making—it takes vision, flexibility, and an insatiable hunger to learn. The next five are the core practices that capture great CEO leadership. 1. Clear Vision and Strategy Establishing and articulating clear vision for the company is perhaps one of the most significant responsibilities a CEO has. A spoken vision gives direction, gets everyone on the same page as to the purpose of the organization, and creates common purpose. Successful CEOs bridge the vision-implement gap through the establishment of quantifiable objectives, prioritization of key projects, and communication across all departments. Strategic thought includes forecasting what trends in the future will take place in the industry, areas where the firm will grow into the future, and fact-driven decision-making which brings the organization to long-term success. Vision also keeps employees motivated and driven even during unfavorable conditions. February, 2025 16 www.insightssuccess.com
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- 20. 2. Creating aResilient and Flexible Firm Culture A company's culture is strongly connected with the employee's motivation, performance, and turnover. CEOs are the center for developing a healthy organization's culture in return for creating innovative, diverse, and flexible employees. Trustful leaders create trust cultures through open communication, teamwork, and valuing employees' input. They even create flexibility so that the groups can react instantly to market volatility, technological advancement, and competitiveness. A culture of flexibility enables an organization to make change and continuously enhance its business processes. 3. Leading with Emotional Intelligence High EQ CEOs will tend to have a better relationship, solve conflict, and make better decisions. Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, empathy, and being able to manage emotions in stressful situations. Empathic leadership enables CEOs to relate to employees, listen to the employee who complains, and have a good organizational culture. Empathic leadership also encourages managing stakeholder relationships, negotiation with partners, and managing crises calmly. Through emotional intelligence demonstration, CEOs build trust and commitment that results in organizational performance. 4. Fostering Innovation and Being Open to Change As the business scenario evolves, innovation continues to remain one of the primary drivers for success. Great CEOs uphold the ethos of never-ending improvement through fostering innovation culture in the firm. It constitutes investment in research and development, the adoption of new technologies, and empowering people to be imaginative. Change leaders lead the way to find new business models, innovate with disruptive trends, and align strategy to outwit the game. They also give teams freedom to innovate new things, test with calculated risks, and learn from failure. With this innovative spirit, CEOs make their organizations agile and competitive in rapidly changing markets. 5. Making Data-Driven Decisions Successful CEOs make decisions on data, insights, and analytics, as opposed to following their instincts. Fact- based business planning through the use of analytics lowers risk, improves operating performance. CEOs now use sophisticated analytics, artificial intelligence, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track business performance and predict future trends. They also instill a culture of data in all the organizational layers with the intention to give teams information to maximize strategies, enhance customer experience, and maximize profitability. Conclusion Strong CEO leadership requires strategic vision, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and imagination. CEOs can create long-term success for their organizations by defining direction, building a powerful company culture, leading from the heart, adapting and changing, and using data to make intelligent decisions. Leadership is an ongoing process, and top CEOs are making constant tweaks to respond to shifting business issues and inspire others. February, 2025 18 www.insightssuccess.com
- 22. SouthAfrican Business Growth Trends inthe Digital Era February, 2025 20 www.insightssuccess.com
- 23. The economy ofSouth Africa is undergoing radical transformation, and technology as well as digital innovation is leading the pack. With businesses shifting to the digital space, sectors are adopting automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven methods to stay ahead. Digital use is no longer optional but the norm for enterprises wanting to grow, streamline processes, and keep pace with the changing demands of a dynamic marketplace. The Rise of E-Commerce and Digital Payments The growth in e-commerce has been one of the most unexpected events of the ages. With an increase in internet penetration and smartphone penetration, consumption over the web has become the chic platform for the masses. Corporate houses are adopting smooth online payment systems, mobile wallets, and online security payment to help them reach the customers' demands. The application of fintech technologies has also encouraged the adoption of cashless transactions. Online payment systems, such as mobile banking apps, and contactless payment methods are enabling companies to automate transactions while making life easier for consumers. The drive for financial inclusion has also facilitated more companies to reach markets that were hitherto unpenetrated, fueling economic development. The Emergence of Remote Work and Virtual Collaboration The pandemic reshaped the traditional office environments, leading to a more widespread uptake of remote and hybrid working cultures. South African businesses have come to understand how to adapt cloud computing, online communication tools, and digital collaboration software to ensure efficiency and productivity. As companies are now going online more and more, investments in cybersecurity and data protection have become the order of the day. As remote working has become the new norm in the majority of industries, companies are now focusing on secure digital infrastructure to prevent cyber attacks and provide business continuity. February, 2025 21 www.insightssuccess.com
- 24. Adoption of ArtificialIntelligence and Automation Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation lead South Africa's business revolution. From customer service chatbots to decision-making with predictive analytics, AI solutions are revolutionizing businesses across industries. Companies are leveraging AI tools to customize the customer experience, automate supply chain operations, and simplify business processes. Automation has also become a part of manufacturing and logistics. Intelligent factories based on robotic process automation (RPA) are lowering costs and increasing production capacity. Use of AI in business processes is turning South African companies into global players. The Emergence of Digital Marketing and Data Analysis Internet marketing is today a part of business development in South Africa. Businesses are moving away from conventional advertisement strategies to internet marketing strategies that include the utilization of social media, SEO, and statistics analysis for the identification of potential consumers. With the advent of big data, organizations are able to make sound business decisions, gain more insights into human behavior, and design ad campaigns to perform at their best. AI adoption in internet marketing is aiding organizations in predicting market trends, automation of customer communication, and providing consumers with very personalized experiences. The Culture of Technology and the Emergence of Startups There has been increased startup activity in South Africa, and most of it has been technology. The presence of fintech, healthtech, and edtech startups has led to jobs creation and economic growth. Venture capital companies, incubators, and accelerators are backing the startup ecosystem through financing and mentorship opportunities to entrepreneurs. Government programs and private-public collaborations are also creating innovation centers, and small enterprises are being made more accessible to digital power. They are reaching more markets. More technology startups are proof of the growing digital economy of the country. Digital Transformation in the Financial Sector The South African financial services industry has embraced digital innovation in its wake to redefine banking services and improve customer services. Banks have started integrating fintech innovations and offering digital lending, blockchain transactional systems, and risk assessment technology based on artificial intelligence. Mobile banking products have transformed access to finance in a way that it becomes easy for individuals to make use of electronic financial services. Expansion in digital finance is building an inclusive economy so that it facilitates small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to gain access to credit and growth financial opportunities. The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity High-quality internet access is key to digitalization, and South Africa is heavily investing in broadband deployment. The push for building 5G networks and rural coverage is leading the way to increased digital inclusion across all sectors. With more and more businesses outsourcing cloud computing and data centers to manage the streamlining of their business, the need for adaptive digital infrastructure rises ever higher. These companies are creating the long- term foundations for success in an increasingly connected world. Conclusion South Africa's digital revolution is transforming the business environment, fueling growth through e-commerce adoption, AI implementation, digital marketing, and fintech development. Digital enterprises are more resilient, robust, and better placed to compete in a more globalized world. With continued advancements in digital infrastructure and new technologies entering the market, South African companies have a rare chance to tap into the potential of the digital age to fuel sustainable growth. February, 2025 22 www.insightssuccess.com
- 26. Integrity is doingthe right thing, even when no one is watching. C . S . L E W I S
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