Speakers 2026

Donovan Goliath

Comedian, Content Creator and Former Adman.

Donovan Goliath is an award-winning content creator, sought after MC, television presenter and celebrated stand-up comedian. This will be Donovan’s third consecutive year hosting the Nedbank IMC.

Kabelo Mabalane

Cultural Icon, Pastor and Endurance Athlete.

Kabelo Mabalane is a South African cultural icon, pastor and endurance athlete whose life story has inspired a nation. Best known as one-third of the legendary kwaito group TKZee, he helped define the sound of post-apartheid youth, with the group earning multi-platinum sales and multiple South African Music Awards.
Launching a solo career as Bouga Luv, Kabelo went on to become a ten-time SAMA winner and one of South Africa’s most successful kwaito artists, with hit albums such as Everybody Watching and Rebel With A Cause achieving platinum and multi-platinum status. He has shared stages with global stars including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Ja Rule and Rihanna, and co-founded the SHOUT campaign, mobilising South Africans to stand together against crime.
Behind the success, Kabelo faced a brutal battle with drug addiction that almost cost him everything. Clean since the early 2000s, he has celebrated over two decades of sobriety and now openly shares his journey of recovery, faith and second chances. His bestselling memoir, I Ran For My Life, chronicles this transformation – from multi-platinum musician to dedicated husband and father, pastor and community builder.
Today Kabelo serves as a pastor and influential voice on issues of purpose, resilience, wellness and faith. An accomplished endurance athlete, he has completed more than ten Comrades Marathons and co-founded running and wellness initiatives that use movement to restore dignity, fight child hunger and build mental and spiritual endurance.
Whether he is addressing executives, faith communities, educators or young people, Kabelo brings a rare blend of celebrity credibility, hard-won wisdom and vulnerability. His keynotes explore themes such as navigating pressure and success, overcoming addiction, leading with integrity, building a culture of accountability, and running life’s race with purpose.

Marc de Swaan Arons

Founder, Institute for Real Growth (United States of America).

Marc de Swaan Arons is a global Marketing leadership thought-leader, CMO convener and coach, author, and teacher. With over 35 years of leadership experience, Marc’s purpose is to help CMOs increase their personal, business and societal purpose.

Marc is an Associate Fellow at SAID Business School of Oxford University, a Fellow at the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), and Founder of the Institute for Real Growth (IRG).

Dutch and American by birth, Marc speaks four languages, travels extensively, and has lived in Amsterdam, London, and New York. After 30 years, he is now a proud New Yorker, husband, father, and grandfather, and serves on the boards of youth leadership organizations in Kenya, Panama, and the US.
Having learned from and collaborated with many of the world’s most prominent business leaders, Marc is a frequent keynote speaker at business schools, companies, and industry conferences. He has been quoted and appeared in The Financial Times, Fortune, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlantic, Advertising Age, Fast Company, Campaign Asia, and Marketing Week.

Marc has co-led many thought leadership studies, including the 2010 Leading Global Brands study, Marketing2020, Insights2020, the IRG Growth Study, the 2019 Impact Study, and now Marketing2030. The findings of these studies have led to the publication of many articles as well as the ‘THE GLOBAL BRAND CEO’ book (2010), and two Harvard Business Review articles (2014 and 2017).

Marc started his career with 14 years at Unilever, launching the global Interactive Brand Center (IBC) in New York, negotiating groundbreaking partnerships with AOL, MSN, and @Home, and developing and delivering Unilever’s first Internet Marketing training course for the 5,000 marketers worldwide. In 2001, Marc co-founded the global marketing consultancy EffectiveBrands. By 2014, EffectiveBrands had offices in New York, Singapore, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and London and was sold to WPP. In 2018, Marc founded the independent and not-for-profit Institute for Real Growth (IRG), which is backed by Google, WPP, Ipsos, and TCS. To date, over 1,000 CMOs and CMO-1 level Marketers have completed the IRG leadership programs.
Educated in the UK, the Netherlands, and the US, Marc holds a Master of Business Economics from Erasmus University (1990). He completed the Harvard University Higher Education Pedagogy program and the AACSB International Bridge Program in 2018.

Suhayl Limbada

Chief Marketing Officer, KFC India.

Suhayl Limbada is the Chief Marketing Officer at KFC India, and a globally recognised, heart-led brand leader known for courageous, culture-first creativity. With an illustrious career spanning senior roles at KFC, Yum! Restaurants International, and Cadbury / Mondelēz International, Suhayl has built a reputation for blending sharp commercial rigour with boundary pushing creativity to deliver outsized brand and business impact.

An ‘accidental CMO’ by his own admission, Suhayl believes the most powerful marketing is not born from theory, but from lived experience. Having grown up in Africa and gone on to build globally awarded creativity in Asia, he has spent his career navigating cultures, embracing discomfort, and choosing the steepest learning curves. His work proves that when brands honour local truths and culture, when they lead with courage, and are willing to go where nobody else will, world class impact naturally follows. His leadership and work have been recognised at the highest level, including winning a Gold Cannes Lion for KFC Cake.

Passionate about people, creativity, and brands, Suhayl believes if we are to fight the good fight for creativity, progress in the industry starts with behaviour, having the courage to challenge comfort, speak to uncomfortable truths, and simply being human with one another will unlock that magic that we all seek in the work.

Tahaab Rais

Group Chief Strategy Officer & Film Director, Publicis Groupe (MENAT).

Tahaab is the first Chief Strategy Officer for Publicis Groupe across MENAT. He leads insights, intelligence, strategy, effectiveness, and creative excellence for diverse companies within Publicis Groupe.

Tahaab has extensive regional and global experience spanning Finance, Insurance, Telecommunications, FMCG, Luxury, Travel & Tourism, Retail, Automotive, Petroleum, Entertainment, Real Estate, Government and B2B categories.

Tahaab was recognized as Strategic Leader of the Year by Campaign Middle East for the past three consecutive years. He is the world’s most awarded strategist for effectiveness and strategy and has won over 1100 regional and global awards and counting.

His work has been recognized at Cannes, Effies, NYF, D&AD, Andy’s, Clios, LIA, Loeries, WARC, Dubai Lynx, One Show, Jay Chiats, among others, including a record-setting 450+ Effies for creative and marketing effectiveness. His work has been featured on platforms like CNN, Time Magazine, BBC, WSJ among others.

At Publicis Groupe, between 2022 to 2025, he has led the agencies to top-rankings globally on platforms like Global Effie Index, Jay Chiats and WARC, including #1 in the Global Effie Index and in the WARC Effective 100 rankings. Prior to Publicis Groupe, Tahaab also led McCann Worldgroup in MENAT to #1 in the world in the Effies Index and in the WARC 100 report, multiple times between 2016 to 2022, setting a benchmark for the region.

Alongside strategy, he’s also a multi-awarded film director and songwriter, with his films being recognized and awarded globally. He’s an active mentor for young talents. He speaks globally on creativity, strategy, and filmmaking, and has given keynotes on stages across the world from China to Asia-Pacific to the sub-continent to the Middle East to Europe and New York including on platforms like Cannes Lions. Tahaab is also a licensed drone operator and can operate two drones simultaneously! He enjoys gaming, he enjoys writing short films, and expresses himself through aerial photography, song writing, and spoken word poetry.

Kabelo Makwane

Country Director:
Google South Africa

Kabelo Makwane is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience transforming the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) landscape. As the Country Director for Google South Africa, he spearheads the company’s presence, acting as its public face and fostering strategic partnerships with businesses, government, and consumers.

Makwane’s extensive background includes directing Vodacom Business’s Cloud, Hosting, and Security division and leading Accenture’s BPO Business
across Africa and Cloud/Technology Consulting. He also served as Microsoft’s Nigeria Country Managing Director and held regional leadership roles at Cisco
and Unisys Africa, providing him with a holistic view of the ICT landscape.

Beyond Google, Makwane contributes to various boards as a Non-Executive Director in Financial Services, Technology, and the Public Sector. He holds an
M.B.A. from Wits Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of KwaZulu Natal.

Sheldon Tatchell

CEO and Founder, Legends Corporation.

Sheldon Tatchell is the visionary founder of Legends Barber, a brand that has redefined the barbershop experience across South Africa and beyond. What started as a passion for grooming and a desire to uplift his community has blossomed into a multi-award-winning enterprise that champions excellence, empowerment, and authentic style.

From humble beginnings, Sheldon recognized the transformative power of a great haircut, not just in appearance but in confidence and self-esteem. This belief fueled his relentless pursuit of mastery in barbering, leading him to establish Legends Barber. Under his leadership, Legends Barber has grown from a single shop to a thriving network, renowned for its exceptional service, skilled barbers, and vibrant atmosphere.

Sheldon’s achievements extend beyond building a successful business. He was voted the Future Leader’s Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year 2025, a testament to his forward-thinking approach and impactful leadership. Furthermore, he was recognized as the EOY Top Entrepreneur for 2024, highlighting his significant achievements in the business world. His commitment to social responsibility is evident through the Legend Township Marathon, a key CSI project that raises funds and awareness for community development initiatives. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of skill development, Sheldon has established training centers that equip aspiring barbers with the expertise needed to thrive in the industry, fostering job creation and economic empowerment.

He has cultivated a culture of mentorship and opportunity within Legends Barber, empowering countless individuals with valuable skills and career paths. His commitment to community upliftment is deeply ingrained in the brand’s ethos, evident in various initiatives that give back and inspire the next generation.

A respected voice in the grooming industry, Sheldon has received numerous accolades recognizing his entrepreneurial spirit and the impact of Legends Barber. He embodies the belief that passion, dedication, and a commitment to quality can transform a simple service into a powerful force for positive change. Sheldon Tatchell’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and the unwavering belief in the potential of people.

Siya Metane (Slikour)

Group CEO and Founder, SlikourOnLife.

Siya Metane, widely known in the music industry as Slikour, is a visionary entrepreneur who has successfully merged his passion for music with his acumen for business. His journey, shaped by both triumphs and challenges, has led him to establish innovative digital platforms that empower brands and creators alike.

At 43, Metane reflects on a career that was never meticulously planned but was driven by an unshakable belief in carving his own path. While he initially pursued computer engineering, financial constraints forced him to pivot, leading him to build a home studio with the support of friends and family. However, despite his deep love for music, he found himself at a crossroads—creating without a clear direction for growth.

His breakthrough came with the formation of Skwatta Kamp, a legendary South African hip-hop group that recorded its first album in his mother’s home. The group went on to release four albums, winning multiple awards, including two South African Music Awards (SAMAs) for Best Rap Album and a Channel O Award for Best Hip-Hop Music Video. When the group disbanded in 2006, Siya faced a new reality—one that required him to redefine his career beyond music.

It was at this juncture that he made his first major business decision, investing his earnings into his father’s taxi business. This experience provided a foundational lesson in financial management, risk-taking, and negotiation—skills that would later prove invaluable.

Dawn Rowlands

CEO, dentsu Africa.

Dawn Rowlands is the CEO of dentsu Africa and one of the continent’s most dynamic media and marketing leaders. Overseeing 11 markets, she has transformed dentsu’s presence from a 40-person team to more than 1,500 professionals, largely built on home-grown talent. With over 30 years’ experience across multiple sectors and 12 businesses launched under her leadership, Dawn is a seasoned entrepreneur who thrives on building scalable, sustainable ecosystems that empower people, brands, and communities.

A passionate advocate for innovation with purpose, Dawn has led award-winning initiatives that blend technology, inclusivity, and impact. Under her leadership, dentsu Africa launched Merkury, the continent’s first privacy-compliant identity solution; created transformative intern-to-hire pipelines; and redirected major media investment into black-owned enterprises. She serves on dentsu’s global Social Impact board and the Loeries Middle East & Africa board and has earned numerous accolades including Businesswoman of the Year and the African Impact Award. Resilient and future-focused, Dawn continues to pioneer a creative and connected future for African marketing.

Thebe Ikalafeng

Founder and Chairman – Brand Africa and Chancellor – Sol Plaatje University, South Africa

Thebe Ikalafeng is the Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa and widely regarded as Africa’s foremost authority on brand, identity and reputation.

For over 30 years, he has worked at the intersection of strategy, culture and leadership, advising governments, corporations and institutions on how brands shape trust, influence behaviour and drive Africa’s prosperity. He is the architect of the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands initiative, the continent’s most definitive consumer-led brand study.

Described by African Business as “Africa’s branding authority,” Thebe has served on public and private boards including Mercantile Bank (now Capitec), South African Tourism, Cartrack and WWF, and is Chancellor of Sol Plaatje University. He is a recipient of multiple lifetime achievement awards and honorary doctorates for his contribution to branding and Africa’s global narrative.

A respected pan-African thought leader and bestselling author, Thebe continues to challenge how Africa is seen, experienced and understood – by the world, and by Africans themselves.

Opeyemi Lawal

Chief Marketing Officer, NBA Africa and BAL (Basketball Africa League). Kenya.

Opeyemi is a seasoned business leader and cultural catalyst with expertise in leading high performing integrated marketing and commercial organizations, building powerful brands and driving growth across Africa and emerging markets.

She is currently the Chief Marketing Officer of NBA Africa and BAL (Basketball Africa League) leading marketing efforts for one of the world’s most iconic brand and popular sports leagues . She is building and deepening fandom for the NBA and BAL on the continent through cultural relevance and storytelling, multi-platform brand experience, deep consumer insights, and analytics. Prior to this, Ope held senior marketing roles at Cassava Technologies, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Airtel and, Etisalat Nigeria and OMD.

A champion of change and an ecosystem builder, Ope holds a Mathematics degree from University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and an Executive MBA from INSEAD Business School, France. She is also a Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) leader, a member of the CMO Council and a fearless lifelong learner.

Khensani Nobanda

Group Chief Marketing Officer, Nedbank Group Limited

Khensani Nobanda is the Group Chief Marketing Officer at Nedbank Group. As both the executive in charge of marketing, and a member of the Nedbank Group executive leadership, she ensures the cohesive and consistent alignment between marketing messaging, brand positioning and business objectives across the group, while also providing strategic input into various Nedbank structures, committees, and partnerships. Her portfolio also includes leading the social impact agenda for Nedbank through overseeing the bank’s CSI and Transformation programs.

Khensani has a BCom from the University of the Witwatersrand, an MBA from GIBS and Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School, where she was voted as class speaker for that cohort. Khensani plays an active leadership role in shaping the marketing profession locally and globally. Most recently, she was appointed Chairperson of the Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA), reflecting her standing as a trusted industry leader and advocate for marketing excellence. She sits on the boards of Effie Awards South Africa and the Loeries. She is also a member of the UN Global Compact CMO Forum on sustainability, serves on the IAA’s Global Board of Directors.

Khensani has amassed several accolades in recognition of her contribution to the industry, including top honours as winner of the Loeries 2021 Marketing Leadership & Innovation Award, AdFocus Marketing Industry Leader of the Year (2021 and 2024), MarkLives’ Most Admired Marketer in South Africa (2022 and 2024), the 2023 SCOPEN Most Admired Marketer, the 2025 Marketing Achievement Awards’ Marketer of the Year, and most recently SCOPEN’s Marketer of the Decade (2016–2026).

Rea Leopeng

Wellness Expert and Yoga Teacher.

Rea Leopeng is a wellness expert, yoga teacher, and aspiring legal attorney who’s stretching the boundaries of balance and harmony. As a multifaceted professional, Rea knows that meeting budgets can be a stretch – but she’s here to help you bend and breathe through the challenges.

Rea will guide you through a transformative experience that harmonizes body, mind, and heart. Expect a balancing blend of physical alignment, breathwork, and mindful introspection to leave you feeling refreshed, revitalised, and ready to tackle those budgets!

When she’s not teaching yoga or practising law, Rea is navigating the intersection of wellness and legal expertise – empowering her to approach challenges with creativity, compassion, and precision. Get ready to stretch your limits with Rea!

Marko Stavrou

Founder, Genlink

Marko Stavrou, known across South Africa as the Gen Z Guy, is an entrepreneur, strategist, and investor. At 17, he became the youngest person accepted globally into Henley Business School. Today, aged 21, he is the founder of Genlink, an investor-backed consulting and insights firm focused on unlocking the potential of organisations’ next-gen talent and customers. Marko has presented at over 100 events on entrepreneurship, marketing, and Gen Z, engaging audiences from students to Fortune 500 CEOs. He documents his life and lessons through his social media channels, which have more than 40 thousand followers and garner more than 3 million views annually. Marko’s lifelong ambition is to invest in the growth of African businesses while empowering entrepreneurs and leaders to lead more purposeful and fulfilling lives.

Gugu Mthembu

Chief Marketing Officer, Telkom

A seasoned marketing leader with over two decades of experience in ICT and telecommunications, Gugu Mthembu is passionate about building brands that combine purpose, innovation, and impact. With a background in information technology, she integrates data, technology, and creativity into her strategic planning, driving both short-term performance and long-term brand sustainability.
Since taking leadership at Telkom, she has overseen a bold brand refresh that has brought vibrancy and clarity into Telkom’s identity, emphasising agility, connection and a digital-first mindset, while remaining deeply rooted in the brand’s heritage. She has established a data science discipline that is the engine behind Telkom’s faster-than-category market share growth.
Under her stewardship, Telkom has reclaimed trust and market presence, earning top rankings like Best Mobile Provider in the 2024/25 Ask Africa Orange Index and recognition as one of the 30 Most Admired Brands in South Africa. She was also awarded Brand Leader of the Year at The Mark Awards in 2025.
As a speaker, juror (Cannes Lions, WARC, others), collaborator, and visionary, Gugu continues to shape the future of marketing, ensuring Telkom is not only keeping pace but leading with courage, connection, and possibility.

Desmond Koolen

Gen Alpha Influencer.

Desmond Koolen, affectionately known as the “I Feel Good Kid,” is a young South African performer, influencer, and sportsman. He rose to fame after his viral rendition of James Brown’s I Feel Good, which captured hearts worldwide and even drew attention from Will Smith. Today, he is recognized as a multi-talented figure in performing arts, sports, and media, inspiring audiences with his charisma and positivity.

Tarryn Knight

Head of Marketing, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

A passionate marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive sector, Tarryn Knight is deeply versed in navigating the complexities of brand strategy and performance marketing. Currently serving as a Head of Marketing for a global automotive leader, she has spent two decades refining a skill set that spans product portfolio management, PR, and the large-scale implementation of integrated marketing campaigns.
Tarryn is recognised for her ability to launch disruptive technologies—most notably leading the introduction of electric vehicle portfolios in the premium space—and for managing high-stakes partnerships within global networks. Her leadership style is defined by a commitment to brand purpose and the development of high-performing, collaborative teams.
Outside of her professional role, Tarryn draws on a disciplined background in classical ballet and various dance disciplines. She is also an active golfer, a pursuit she values for the focus and resilience it demands.

Roanna Williams

Co-Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, Boundless

Roanna Williams is the Co-Founder and Co-CCO of Boundless, and a self-declared
creative activist.

For her whole career she’s pushed for work that doesn’t just sell, it shows up. The kind
people talk about, argue about, and occasionally wish they’d made.
Boundless was built on that belief: creating the world’s most loved ideas. Not the
safest. Not the ones that survive 15 rounds of approval and come out looking like
wallpaper.

She’s judged at Cannes Lions, One Show, Clio’s and more. As the first female Chair of
the Creative Circle South Africa, she pushed for a braver, more diverse, less selfserious
industry. One that remembers its job is to influence culture, not just fill media
space.

Her work has won globally, but she’ll tell you the real win is when an idea enters
culture, gets quoted, remixed, or quietly copied.
She’s also a director of Open Chair, helping grow the next generation of leaders.

At Boundless, she leads with a simple belief: If everyone in the room feels comfortable,
it’s probably the wrong idea.

Fran Luckin

Co-Chief Creative Officer, Boundless

Fran Luckin is a Co-CCO at Boundless, with 20+ years of creative leadership and a
reputation for being part strategist, part storyteller, part instigator of better ideas.

She’s helped transform agencies like Grey South Africa into award-winning forces, and
most recently led as CCO of VML South Africa. Her thing has always been the same:
backing brave work before it gets politely killed in a meeting.

Fran believes the industry doesn’t have a creativity problem, it has a bravery problem.
Too many good ideas die slowly, pecked to death by ducks. She’s judged at Cannes
Lions, D&AD Awards and more, and was the first female African Jury President at
Cannes. Impressive, but she’d rather it wasn’t noteworthy.

She’s also a founding director of Open Chair, helping more women get into leadership,
ideally faster than usual. At Boundless, she’s here for one thing: less politics, more
ideas. Outside of advertising, she plays bass guitar. Loudly. Occasionally in tune.

Jarred Cinman

Chief Executive Officer, VML

Jarred is a long-time pioneer in South Africa’s advertising landscape. He began his career in digital advertising in the early 90s when the internet was still new and not well understood. As a result, he learnt almost everything he knows on the job and has helped shape the digital marketing industry in SA, starting the country’s first digital agency in the process. This ultimately led to his becoming CEO of VML South Africa.

Throughout his career, Jarred has been a pioneer at the intersection between marketing and technology. In 2025, he received the inaugural Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital Award at the Bookmarks. The same year, he co-authored the ACA’s whitepaper Marketing with Machines, which explores AI’s opportunities and risks in the context of advertising and marketing. He hosts the ACA’s AI in Advertising Summit, which is now in its second year. And he writes prolifically about the impact of AI on advertising and marketing in his column Burning Paper for MarkLives and his LinkedIn newsletter Burning Questions, among other media and publications.

During his three decades in the advertising industry, Jarred has been at the forefront of its evolution and has become a respected voice, known for telling it like it is.
He is a board member of the ACA and a founder of the IAB South Africa.

Tiffany Markman

Communication Expert, Copywriter, Speaker and Founder, Tiffany Markman Writing & Training (TMWT).

Tiffany Markman is a multi-award-winning business communicator who has the weirdest hobby you’ve never heard of.

For 21 years, she’s worked internationally as a copywriter, consultant, trainer and speaker. For six of those, she’s also rescued and rehabilitated orphaned and injured African bats. The tiny fluffy dragon kind, not the cricket-ball-bashing kind.

These two worlds have taught her that, if your signals are weak, confusing or badly aimed, you’re going to battle to connect with your markets.

Tiffany shows companies, organisations and associations how to communicate with more humanity, power and resonance, whether they’re talking to colleagues, clients, customers or prospects. Known for her sharp, practical “universal truths” on marketing, branding, creative ideation and email engagement, Tiffany is one of the world’s top 50 female content marketers, a sought-after keynote speaker and a Hall of Fame educator.

She’s worked with 717+ brands in 18 countries, helping 36k professionals to craft messages that soar, land and resonate.

Dr Gcina Mhlophe

Author, Storyteller, Director of Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust.

Dr. Gcina Mhlophe is a celebrated author, storyteller, and the founding director of the Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust. Her works have been translated into numerous languages, including all offi cial South African languages, Kiswahili, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and even Braille. She has directed her theatrical plays in the USA, UK, and Greenland, with her most renowned and studied work being “Have You Seen Zandile?” In addition, her poetry has been transformed into dance and classical music. Recently, she edited and self-published “Our Storytelling Tree: A South African Storytellers Directory” under GAHT, marking the fi rst eff ort to archive 38 storytellers currently active in South Africa. She has received honorary doctorates from seven universities, both nationally and internationally, in recognition of her literary contributions and her impact on intangible heritage through storytelling.

Dr. Mhlophe’s accolades include a SAMA for her CD “Stories of Africa,” the OBBIE and Joseph Jeff erson Awards in the USA, the Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival, the MultiChoice AFRICA Legend Storyteller Award, the USIBA Cultural Legend Award, the SA Children’s Laureate Award, and, most recently, the SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award for her acting and contributions to fi lm in South Africa. As a leading fi gure in South African storytelling, her birthday, October 24th, has been designated National Storytelling Day since 2019, celebrated at her own venue, The Storytelling Tree, in Durban.

In November 2022, Dr. Mhlophe was recognized by the Charlotte Manya-Maxeke Institute as one of the Mothers of the Nation, alongside notable pioneers such as Mrs. Nokukhanya Mdima-Dube, Ms. Nicky Newton King, and Mrs. Zanele Mbeki.

In May 2023, she received the Flora Nwapa Literature Award. Her achievements in 2023 also included collaborating with East Coast Radio on a podcast titled African Story Magic, which gained signifi cant attention and was nominated for the Spotify Content Creator Awards. The podcast won the APVA Award for Best in Fiction. Dr. Mhlophe also republished Nozincwadi: Mother of Books in Sign Language.

In 2024, Dr. Mhlophe received her eighth honorary doctorate from the Durban University of Technology. Her podcast, Africa Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, was recognized as Podcast of the Year at the 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards and won Silver at the 2024 New Generation Awards. It also earned a Bronze at the 2024 Bookmark Awards. It received an Honourable Mention for Excellence in Podcasting at the 2023 DStv Content Creator Awards, along with the Best in Fiction award at the 2023 APVA Awards. Additionally, she celebrated the 16th edition of the Nozincwadi International Storytelling Festival and marked 23 years of the Nozincwadi Literacy Campaign. Nomkhumbulwane: African Mother Christmas was published in November 2024, and Dr Mhlophe performed the story with music at various venues in Johannesburg and Durban. On Saturday, December 7th, the Dr. Gcina Mhlophe Reading Bench at the Newtown Precinct was honored by Johannesburg City Arts & Culture, VUYANI Dance Company, and ABSA Bank.

Kagiso Mosina-Matlakala

BCom Marketing Student, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business

Kagiso Mosina-Matlakala is a third-year BCom Marketing student at the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. A marketer, entrepreneur, creative director, and storyteller, he has spent years building ventures, leading youth initiatives, and directing impactful content that amplifies meaningful narratives. His leadership journey spans student governance under the Johannesburg Student Council, African youth development, and Catholic leadership organisations, where he served as a correspondent between South Africa and Rome.

A local finalist in the 2025 L’Oréal Brandstorm competition and winner of the Honoris United Universities Impact Competition, Kagiso was also invited to attend the Harvard Business School Africa Conference, where he engaged with emerging leaders shaping Africa’s future. He is driven by a belief that Africa’s greatest asset is its stories, and its people.

Dale Hefer

IMC CEO.

Dale is a former SA Businesswoman of the Year, a best-selling author, and an artist whose prints sell around the world. Dale launched the Nedbank IMC in 2019 and under her leadership it has become Africa’s biggest marketing conference.
www.dalehefer.com

And our speakers lead the change.

Thursday, 17 September. Attend in-person (Mosaïek Teatro, Johannesburg) OR virtually.

Every voice on our stage is curated, not crowdsourced. Each year, we hand-pick marketers, makers and minds who are shaping the shifts redefining marketing – turning AI into advantage, data into direction, and creativity into real business impact. They don’t come to sell. They come to share what’s working, what’s changing and what’s next.

We proudly recognise the Nedbank IMC Speaker Alumni, presented by SAB – an ongoing collective of the remarkable leaders, thinkers and industry voices who have helped shape Africa’s Biggest Marketing Conference™ over the years.

Meet the Alumni

Confirmed Speakers

Donovan Goliath

Comedian, Content Creator and Former Adman.

Master of Ceremonies.

Kabelo Mabalane

Cultural Icon, Pastor and Endurance Athlete.

Topic: Play the Game and the Score Will Take Care of Itself.



Closing Keynote

Marc de Swaan Arons

Founder, Institute for Real Growth (United States of America).

Topic: Marketing2030: Making Impact in a New Era



International Keynote

Suhayl Limbada

Chief Marketing Officer, KFC India.

Topic: Stop Making Global Work.
A Practical Guide to Building Big Ideas in Local Culture.



International Keynote

Tahaab Rais

Group Chief Strategy Officer & Film Director, Publicis Groupe (MENAT).

Topic: The Real Shift Isn’t Technological. It’s Psychological.



International Keynote

Kabelo Makwane

Country Director:
Google South Africa

Topic: Making AI Useful: From Organisational Mindset to Business Value.

Sheldon Tatchell

CEO and Founder, Legends Corporation.

Business of Impact.

Proudly supported by BP



Ten-Minute Motivation

Siya Metane (Slikour)

Group CEO and Founder, SlikourOnLife.

Topic to be confirmed.

Dawn Rowlands

CEO, dentsu Africa.

Topic: Africa is the Shift.

Thebe Ikalafeng

Founder and Chairman – Brand Africa and Chancellor – Sol Plaatje University, South Africa.

Shift Happens^™ -Thebe Ikalafeng in Conversation with Africa’s Leading CMOs.



Brand Africa CMO Panel

Opeyemi Lawal

Chief Marketing Officer, NBA Africa and BAL (Basketball Africa League). Kenya.

Shift Happens^™ – Thebe Ikalafeng in Conversation with Africa’s Leading CMOs.
Brand Africa CMO Panel.

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Brand Africa CMO Panel

Khensani Nobanda

Group Chief Marketing Officer, Nedbank Group Limited.

Shift Happens^™ – Thebe Ikalafeng in Conversation with Africa’s Leading CMOs.

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Brand Africa CMO Panel

Conn Bertish

Founder, The Creative Resiliency Group.

Topic: Happy Purposeful Businesses Are Harder to Kill.

Marko Stavrou

The Gen Z Guy.
Founder, Genlink.

Panellist:
The Next Shift. A Gen Z – Gen Alpha Conversation.



Youth Panel

Gugu Mthembu

Chief Marketing Officer, Telkom.

Facilitator:
The Next Shift. A Gen Z – Gen Alpha Conversation.



Youth Panel

Desmond Koolen

Gen Alpha Influencer.

Panellist:
The Next Shift. A Gen Z – Gen Alpha Conversation.



Youth Panel

Rea Leopeng

Wellness Expert and Yoga Teacher.

Topic: 5-Minute Shift: Move. Reset. Stretch.



5-Minute Stretch

Tarryn Knight

Head of Marketing, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Topic: The bakkie that built the nation: Shifting gears, shifting times.

Roanna Williams

Co-Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, Boundless

Topic: The Creative Shift. Why Brave Work Wins.

With Fran Luckin



Double Take

Fran Luckin

Co-Chief Creative Officer, Boundless

Topic: The Creative Shift. Why Brave Work Wins.

With Roanna Williams



Double Take

Jarred Cinman

Chief Executive Officer, VML

Topic: 2026: The Year AI Changed Everything in Advertising?

Thebe Ikalafeng

Founder and Chairman – Brand Africa and Chancellor – Sol Plaatje University, South Africa.

Topic: The CMO Shift.

Tiffany Markman

Communication Expert, Copywriter, Speaker and Founder, Tiffany Markman Writing & Training (TMWT).

Topic: Specifically Odd: Write Human. But Weird.

Dr Gcina Mhlophe

Author, Storyteller, Director of Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust.

Topic: Tales to Tell, Wings to Fly.

Proudly supported by Brand SA

Cultural Address

Kagiso Mosina-Matlakala

BCom Marketing Student, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business

Branding for the Generation That Questions Everything.



Bonus Student Speaker

Dale Hefer

IMC CEO.

Conference Opening.

Join the movement.

Book your Ticket Now.

Be part of Africa’s most relevant marketing conversation, in-person or online.

Who should attend

Professionals shaping growth, relevance, and impact across business, brands and culture in a world that won’t stand still.

Join the movement. #ShiftHappens #NedbankIMC2026

All delegate fees are subject to South African VAT where applicable. In-person attendance in South Africa is subject to 15% VAT. International virtual attendance from outside South Africa is invoiced without VAT, subject to confirmation of country of residence and billing details.

In-person

Now selling
phase 2

R3 500

(Excluding VAT)

Book here

Virtual

South Africa
Set price

R950

(Excluding VAT
15% VAT applies)

Book here

Virtual

International
Set price

R950

For international delegates only. No VAT applies.

Book here

Stay Safe & Central

We’ve partnered with Southern Sun to offer Nedbank IMC 2026 delegates preferential accommodation rates at four conveniently located hotels, with breakfast included.

Choose from:
54 on Bath
Southern Sun Hyde Park
Southern Sun Rosebank
Garden Court Milpark

Each hotel has its own exclusive delegate rate, giving you the flexibility to choose the location and accommodation that best suits your stay.

Book your accommodation here:

Donovan Goliath

Comedian, Content Creator and Former Adman.

Kabelo Mabalane

Cultural Icon, Pastor and Endurance Athlete.

Marc de Swaan Arons

Founder, Institute for Real Growth (United States of America).

Suhayl Limbada

Chief Marketing Officer, KFC India.

Tahaab Rais

Group Chief Strategy Officer & Film Director, Publicis Groupe (MENAT).

Kabelo Makwane

Country Director: Google South Africa

Sheldon Tatchell

CEO and Founder, Legends Corporation.

Siya Metane (Slikour)

Group CEO and Founder, SlikourOnLife.

Dawn Rowlands

CEO, dentsu Africa.

Thebe Ikalafeng

Founder and Chairman – Brand Africa and Chancellor – Sol Plaatje University, South Africa

Opeyemi Lawal

Chief Marketing Officer, NBA Africa and BAL (Basketball Africa League). Kenya.

Khensani Nobanda

Group Chief Marketing Officer, Nedbank Group Limited

Rea Leopeng

Wellness Expert and Yoga Teacher.

Marko Stavrou

Founder, Genlink

Gugu Mthembu

Chief Marketing Officer, Telkom

Desmond Koolen

Gen Alpha Influencer.

Tarryn Knight

Head of Marketing, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Roanna Williams

Co-Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, Boundless

Fran Luckin

Co-Chief Creative Officer, Boundless

Jarred Cinman

Chief Executive Officer, VML

Tiffany Markman

Communication Expert, Copywriter, Speaker and Founder, Tiffany Markman Writing & Training (TMWT).

Dr Gcina Mhlophe

Author, Storyteller, Director of Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust.

Kagiso Mosina-Matlakala

BCom Marketing Student, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business

Dale Hefer

IMC CEO.

And our speakers lead the change.

Thursday, 17 September. Attend in-person (Mosaïek Teatro, Johannesburg) OR virtually.

Confirmed Speakers

Donovan Goliath

Kabelo Mabalane

Closing Keynote

Marc de Swaan Arons

International Keynote

Suhayl Limbada

International Keynote

Tahaab Rais

International Keynote

Kabelo Makwane

Sheldon Tatchell

Ten-Minute Motivation

Siya Metane (Slikour)

Dawn Rowlands

Thebe Ikalafeng

Brand Africa CMO Panel

Opeyemi Lawal

Brand Africa CMO Panel

Khensani Nobanda

Brand Africa CMO Panel

Conn Bertish

Marko Stavrou

Youth Panel

Gugu Mthembu

Youth Panel

Desmond Koolen

Youth Panel

Rea Leopeng

5-Minute Stretch

Country Director:
Google South Africa

Now selling
phase 2

South Africa
Set price

(Excluding VAT
15% VAT applies)

International
Set price

Choose from:
54 on Bath
Southern Sun Hyde Park
Southern Sun Rosebank
Garden Court Milpark