Judges 2026

Dr Busi Tshabalala, Group Executive: Human Resources at African Rainbow Minerals

Sisi Mahobe, Head of HR at Glencore

Genevieve Keshwar, Business Development Manager at Biovac (Rising Star Alumni)

Giovanni Abrahams, Executive: Operations at Massmart (Rising Star Alumni)

Thato Masalesa, Country Lead People and Culture Commercial at Coca-Cola Beverages SA

Bridget Makhura, Chief People Officer at The Clicks Group

Malisha Awunor, Founder at Ikigai People Advisory

Kal Narotham, Group Head: Performance Management at Absa Group

Dr Jerry Gule, Director at Gule Executive Coaching

Bedelia Theunissen, Chief People Officer at Bitventure

Tyrin Naidoo, Group Head: SPMO at City of JHB (Rising Star Alumni)

Dr Ajay Jivan, Head of Research & Assurance at SABPP

Sakeena Adams, Executive Regional People Director for Africa and the Middle East at Sage

Sammy Mafu, MD at Etion Connect

Sibongile Magagula, Branch Manager: Logistics and Ops at DSV

Shaun Tooray, Global Head of Talent Attraction at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (Rising Star Alumni 2019)

Reabetswe Nokwane, Human Resources Director at Scatec

Bramley Maetsa-Sambo, Head of Digital Innovation Enablement at Sasol

Geraldine Welby-Cooke, Executive: People & Sustainability at RTT

Phila Ndarana, Chief Technology Officer at AGSA

Zephrus Molewa, Master HR Professional at SABPP

Sibongile Zungu, Head of Finance: Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank (Rising Star Alumni)

Desire Pauw, Executive: Human Capital at Momentum Investments

Elmarie Roberts, Group HR Executive at Catapult Group

Brenda Reddy, CEO at iMvula

Mashudu Ndou, Group Executive Head: Foundations & Partnerships at Vodacom (Rising Star Alumni)

Opila Moodley, Executive HRD at Estee Lauder

Sipho Gumbi, Chief Human Capital and Transformation at AlexForbes

Mandla Mhlongo, Head of Relationship Banking: Credit Transformation & Digitisation at Absa

Masenyane Molefe, Group Executive: HR at PPS

Dr Wongiwe Ludidi, Senior Manager: Talent, Learning & Culture at CHEP

Jeannine Naude, Vice President, Head of Africa Regions at TransUnion Africa

Rachel Masuku, Group Executive: Human Resources at SABC

Thabo Mogobe, Head of Talent – Africa at ERG Africa

Thembi Kumalo, Group HR Executive at SASA

Terance Nkosi, Chief Technical and Sustainability Officer at Rand Refinery (Rising Star Alumni)

Elsie Pule, Director: Special Projects at Rosatom Central and Southern Africa

Kumarie Reddy, HR Manager at Performanta

Mmabatho Tlale, Chief Human Capital Officer at ZEDA Limited

Kiveshen Moodley, Country Managing Director at Workday

Ziphindiwe Ngcobo, Executive: Marketing at ISUZU SA

Dr Lee Conway, Clinical Psychologist at The Competency Network

Millicent Molete, Regional Communications Manager at Lactalis (Rising Star Alumni 2015 Finalist)

Brenda Talazo, Vice President & Head: HR & Business Enablement at Saab Grintek Defence

Diane Myers, Head: Talent Management at Zutari

Keshnie Martin, Global HR GM at Omnia Agriculture

Bahle Goba-Matsho, Lead Organizational Development and Talent Management at Sanlam

Mogaleadi Seabela, Global CPM Application Manager at Anglo American (Rising Star Alumni 2015 Winner)

Germinah Sepeng, Founder and MD at Cognition Compass

Matimba Mahenge, Chairman at MEMSA

David Behr, Group Chief Enterprise Officer at MTN Converged Solutions

Dr Candice Hartley, Group Chief People Officer at Eskom

Emelda Tladi, Executive Head: People at Hollard Group Risk

Paul Clegg, VP Human Resources – Sub Sahara Africa at DHL

Gontse Madumo, People & Culture Executive at PG Glass (Rising Star Alumni)

Refilwe Ditodi, HR Director: Business Partnering at Tiger Brands

Brian Sentongo, Head of Strategy at Nedbank

Diteboho Matsheng, Group Talent & Culture Executive at The Rohloff Group KFC

Dr Thokozile Lewanika, Founder at DML45 Consulting

Ndivhu Nephfumbada, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Maziv

Patty Matlou, Culture & Inclusion Specialist at Bowmans

Vanessa Goonahsylin, Executive Head of People & Culture at NTT Data

Lusani Nemalili, Executive Head of Department: Public Affairs at Vodacom South Africa (2020 Rising Star Alumni)

Lilian Monji, Head POPS at ShoutitNow

Samira Bayat, Senior Manager Talent Acquisition at Deloitte

Phumzile Hlatshwayo, HR Director at Tsebo

Santhana Govender, Organisational Development Specialist at Minopex

Nicole Marshall, Founder at Vine Vision

Gillian Cloete, Founder at Elevate Global (Rising Star Alumni)

Dr Mamello Masia, Chief People Officer at McDonald’s South Africa

Justice Nkosi, Vice President: HR at Sasol Mining

Shyless Shai, Human Capital Executive at SASRIA

Helene Botha, Group Creative Director at Superside (Rising Star Alumni)

Janet du Preez, MD at Engagement Dynamics