A Global Conversation in the Cape: Highlights from the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board Event – South Africa 2025
In April 2025, the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board proudly launched the South Africa Chapter, bringing together a distinguished group of cybersecurity leaders, risk and compliance professionals, and subject-matter experts for a two-day summit in Durbanville Winelands, Cape Town.
This inaugural event marked an important expansion of our global community, offering a timely platform to explore the future of cybersecurity under the theme:
“Protecting Tomorrow – Security Culture in 2025 and Beyond.”
A High-Level Agenda on the Future of Cybersecurity
Across the two days, the agenda featured a carefully curated mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. Topics addressed the evolving cyber risk landscape, the growing impact of AI-driven security, emerging compliance trends, and the practical steps organisations must take to build and sustain a strong security culture.
Notable contributors included Mathieu Gorge, Johan Van Zyl, Andrew Henwood, Grant Hughes, and other respected voices from across the region and beyond. Their insights reflected a shared focus on proactive risk management, trust-building, and cross-industry collaboration.
Engagement, Insight, and Connection
The event was designed not only to inform but to foster meaningful dialogue among attendees.
Beyond the formal sessions, participants engaged in informal networking moments, book signings, roundtable discussions, and regional cultural experiences, including a South African wine tasting.
This balance of structured content and authentic connection reinforced the core mission of the Advisory Board: to serve as a trusted forum for advancing knowledge, fostering global cooperation, and supporting actionable change in cybersecurity.
Partners and Contributors
We extend our sincere thanks to the speakers, panellists, and organisations who helped shape the event:
Key Contributors & Speakers:
- Mathieu Gorge – CEO, VigiTrust
- Johan Van Zyl – Managing Director, Risk X Group
- Graham Thompson – Sales & Marketing Director, DataDivider
- Andrew Henwood – Director, BlckRhino
- Grant Hughes – Founding President, ISC2 Cape Town Chapter
- Melissa Naidoo – Regional Director, ISACA South Africa
- Craig Pedersen – Forensic Practitioner, TCG Forensics
- Craig Geel – Managing Director, Secure X
- Riasha Swartz – IT Security Manager, Clicks Group
- TJ Roberts – Senior SOC Analyst, Secure X
- Vish Chetty – Chief Revenue Officer, AddPay Africa
- Primrose Muwishi – Client Success Specialist, AddPay Africa
- Aidin Schoombie – Risk & Compliance Manager, AddPay Africa
- Colin Van Niekerk – Director: Forensic Response & Product Development, BlckRhino
- Cyrus Ndyamba – Data Privacy & Data Governance SME
Event Partners & Sponsors:
- ISACA South Africa
- ISC² Cape Town Chapter
- Risk X Group
- AddPay Africa
- TCG Forensics
- BlckRhino
- DataDivider
- Clicks Group LTD
- Defense.com
We are grateful to our event partners for their invaluable support in making the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board South Africa Chapter launch a meaningful and impactful success.
Watch the Highlights
We’ve captured key moments from the event in our official recap video: