Ultrich Kruger
Criminal Investigator, Department of Homeland Security – United States Secret Service

Uli Kruger is currently employed as a criminal investigator by the Department of Homeland Security – United States Secret Service. He responsible for project managing cyber and financial crime investigations in 25 countries and recently took on the role of task team lead for a joint multijurisdictional cyber and financial crime task team

Louis Hennings
Fraud Risk Manager – SAFPS Board Member representing Nedbank.

Louis is a seasoned fraud risk manager, with over 20 years experience in the field. He is also a board member at SAFPS, representing Nedbank Ltd.
In his current role as Head of Integrated Financial Crime Risk, he is responsible for the oversight, advisory and risk assurance of Internal Fraud, External Fraud, Application Fraud, Digital Crimes, Ethics and Corruption Risk, Exchange Control and Tax Evasion Risk.

Cisca Kaasjager
(B.Com (Accounting), H.Dip (Tax), SAIPA
Registered Professional Accountant

Victim of Identity Theft

Rachel Bukasa
Executive Director, Black Sash

Rachel Bukasa is the Executive Director of the Black Sash and an NGO/NPO specialist with experience in strategic planning, programme development, management, fundraising, human resources as well as financial management. She specialises in strengthening humanitarian and advocacy policy as well as visionary knowledge-based strategic leadership for effective implementation of the organisation’s mission and goals. She holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Cape Town, majoring in human rights and international law and is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa.

Carel de Jager
Research Group Leader – CSIR, DLT & Blockchain

Carel de Jager leads Blockchain R&D at the CSIR. His team is building cryptocurrency analytics products, with a strong focus on countering illicit activity and fraud. Carel has extensive experience in blockchain technology and acts as a thought leader in the South African industry. Since he discovered the technology in 2016, he founded a training institution and software company that specialises in blockchain engineering. Over the years, he has worked with esteemed partners such as law firms, insurance providers, regulators and commercial banks, both locally and abroad. As a public speaker, Carel expertly simplifies complex technical concepts and presents practical use cases for blockchain technology.

Lohan Spies
Founder & CEO of DIDx, Chair of Sovrin Steward Council

Lohan Spies, a visionary entrepreneur and luminary in self-sovereign identity, has been instrumental in advancing various cybersecurity and blockchain endeavours. As the founder and CEO of DIDx, his leadership has been pivotal in driving the convergence of self-sovereign identity and cybersecurity, with a mission to empower individuals to control their own identities securely. Notable among his achievements is the co-founding of Amply, a ground-breaking initiative revolutionising subsidy claims in early childhood development, and his advocacy for the impact market through the IXO protocol. While formerly serving as the founding steward and chair of the Sovrin Steward Council, as well as holding positions as an ex-officio Sovrin Board Member, Lohan has played a crucial role in shaping the digital identity landscape. He remains an active participant in numerous blockchain and digital identity alliances, steadfast in his commitment to realising universal access to identity and fostering trust in the digital realm.

Johan Moolman
Group CEO, Secure Citizen

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Johan Moolman is now steering Secure Citizen as its Group CEO. In partnership with SAFPS, he leverages his wealth of experience to expand the digital identity frontier. Having led Pivotal Data among other tech ventures, Johan’s strategic insight is key to Secure Citizen’s mission to innovate secure and convenient identity solutions. His dedication to the adoption of verifiable credentials and self-sovereign identity promises to deliver transformative benefits, establishing a new standard for digital interaction, both locally and globally.

Martin Grunewald
Chief Executive, Global Growth at Secure Citizen

A seasoned expert in financial services, Martin Grunewald has recently joined Secure Citizen as Chief Executive of Global Growth, driven by a commitment to effect positive global change. His 20-year tenure in the South African payments landscape has been marked by significant contributions to modernisation and the advancement of digital identity systems. Formerly the Chief Business Officer at BankservAfrica and a leader in the Digital Identity project, Martin is celebrated for his strategic and innovative approaches to business development. His forward-thinking strategies in system modernisation have established him as a sought-after voice at international conferences dedicated to the evolution of payment systems and digital identity in Africa.

Shaun Strydom
Founder, Executive Head and Identity Futurologist at Contactable

Shaun Strydom holds over two decades of expertise in digital innovation, beginning his career with Deloitte and progressing through various leadership roles. A Chartered Accountant and a former Deloitte partner, he’s an established figure in digital transformation with a focus on digital identity and digital customer ecosystem technology globally. Shaun has founded and led several organisations, including Deal Bridge Group and Contactable, a leading integrated digital identity platform, showcasing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of the digital landscape. Recognised as a global thought leader, Shaun’s contributions have significantly shaped the industry.

Astrid Ludin
Deputy Commissioner, Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa

Astrid Ludin is a Deputy Commissioner at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa since June 2021. Her responsibilities include oversight over financial market and retirement fund supervision. She has more than 25 years of experience in public policy and regulation, and led major law reforms, including the reform of company, consumer protection and credit legislation in South Africa between 2002 and 2007. In her capacity as Deputy Director-General at the dtic, she had policy responsibility for competition, company, intellectual property, consumer protection, credit, gambling, lotteries, and liquor legislation and exercised oversight over the associated regulatory agencies.

Astrid spent 3 years at the Competition Commission (1999 to 2002), responsible for stakeholder relations, communications, education and voluntary compliance, and was involved in a number of major mergers and investigations. She served as the first Commissioner of the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) between 2011 and 2015, where she oversaw the modernisation of the office and its transformation into a regulatory institution. In various consulting capacities, Astrid has provided research and policy advice to the dtic, the National Treasury, the Prudential Authority, Strate, a range of South African financial services firms, and financial sector regulators in Africa. Her areas of expertise include consumer protection, market conduct and financial market regulation, financial inclusion, financial education and innovation.

Kevin Hogan
Fraud Risk for Private Bank, Investec

Kevin has completed his B-Com in Financial Risk Management and has been In banking for 23 years. Kevin was with Nedbank for 8 years, first as a credit analyst and then as part of the first Retail Banking Fraud Prevention team, who he lead until 2009. Kevin also headed up the fraud prevention for Standard Bank for 3 years. Kevin was the Director at the South African Fraud Prevention Services from 2005 to 2009 and has chaired various SABRIC committees over the years. Currently, Kevin manages the Fraud Risk for Private Bank at Investec, specialising in financial fraud and social engineering. Kevin has established himself as an expert in false documents, ID’s and Passports.

Craig Pedersen
Head, TCG Forensics

Craig Pedersen is a leading expert in digital forensics, cybercrime, and fraud investigation. As the head of TCG Forensics, he oversees operations in Cape Town and Pretoria, focusing on digital forensics and cybercrime. Craig is a Forensic Practitioner, and Cyber Crime Investigator with extensive experience in the investigation of Ponzi schemes and commercial crime. He is a registered Certified Fraud Examiner, Forensic Practitioner (ICFP), member of the IAFCI, South African Academy of Forensic Sciences and Fellow of the Internet Service Providers Association (SA).

Craig is also the author of the Investigators Guide to Open Source Intelligence, a comprehensive resource for investigators seeking to enhance their skills in this area. In addition to his work as an investigator and author, Craig is an accomplished lecturer and regularly shares his expertise on topics such as OsInt and Cyber Crime Investigation. With his wealth of experience and knowledge, Craig is a sought-after speaker at conferences and events worldwide. His insights and expertise have helped numerous organizations navigate the complex landscape of digital forensics and cybercrime.

Hendrik Aucamp
Fraud Mitigation Lead, Dotsure

Hendrik Aucamp is a seasoned professional with a robust background in financial management spanning nearly two decades. With extensive experience across diverse sectors including mining, automotive component manufacturing, FMCG, and currently, the insurance industry, Aucamp brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. His journey in financial management commenced in 2003, where he held pivotal roles in various sectors, demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Transitioning to the insurance industry in March 2022, Aucamp assumed the role of Senior Pricing Analyst at Badger Group, overseeing operations in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. During this tenure, he honed his skills in analyzing complex pricing structures and navigating the intricacies of the insurance landscape. Building on his successes, Aucamp transitioned to the role of Fraud Mitigation Lead at Badger Group for Dotsure South Africa in August 2023, where he continues to excel. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in spearheading fraud prevention efforts, collaborating closely with internal departments and external partners including SAFPS, SAICB, and various insurance companies. Aucamp finds fulfillment in the dynamic interactions within the insurance industry, leveraging his expertise to drive impactful outcomes. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Aucamp endeavors to strike the delicate balance between allocating time and resources to fraud prevention and detection. His dedication to mitigating risks and safeguarding organizational integrity underscores his unwavering focus on delivering value and fostering sustainable growth.

ULRICH JANSE VAN RENSBURG
ABSA

Ulrich has over 22 years’ experience in the financial services industry. He initially specialised in credit risk management where he delivered risk management strategies to several banks.
During the past 10 years he used his risk management knowledge to drive proactive fraud risk management practices. This involves the roll out of multi layered strategies, supported by different analytical capabilities to support preventative strategies.
Ulrich is particularly interested in the converged risks that threaten society and how technologies like passive authentication, quantum computing and large language models will impact society to gain access to financial means.

NIKKI MUNITZ
Self-Esteem Development Counsellor and Coach, Addiction Specialist

Nikki’s radical journey of self-discovery revolutionised her life and today she is a proud global leader helping others change theirs. She is a Self-Esteem Development Counsellor and Coach, Addiction Specialist and the Founder and Director of Nikki Munitz & Associates. A business she created, inspired by her Self-Esteem Coach and Mentor, whom she met while serving time in the prison system.

Nikki’s unique approach is changing the landscape of mental wellness and addiction treatment in South Africa, by empowering thousands of people to break free from their own self-imposed prisons – encouraging them to go beyond the barriers of self-doubt, fear, and negative belief systems so that they may live the life they truly want and deserve.

Nikki is also a keynote speaker, and the author of a best-seller memoir “Fraud”, a book that captures her captivating journey of unmasking the self.

PATRICK DEVINE
DIRECTOR, SOLID 8 TECHNOLOGIES

With over three decades of experience in the IT industry, Patrick Devine has spent the last seventeen years specializing in Security & Identity Management. His expertise spans various areas including Data Security, Identity and Access Governance, User Provisioning, Encryption technologies, multi-factor authentication, and Security Incident Event Management. Patrick has worked across diverse industries including banking, telecommunications, media, retail, manufacturing, and government, where he has excelled in roles encompassing account management, business development, pre-sales, project management, research and development, architecture and design, deployment, and operations. He is dedicated to identifying software security sales opportunities, building pipeline targets, and managing the sales cycle to achieve exceptional results.

Patrick Devine is a seasoned IT professional with three decades of industry experience, specializing in Data Security & Identity Management. As a Director at Solid8 Technologies, a leading Cyber Security Software Distributor across Africa, Patrick demonstrates technical expertise and translates it into the business value of cyber security. With a diverse background spanning banking, telecommunications, media, retail, manufacturing, and government sectors, is committed to driving software security sales, advisory to organisations on architecture and design, whilst delivering exceptional results.

PROF. SIZWE SNAIL KA MTUZE
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE & CYBER LAW

Professor Sizwe Lindelo Snail ka Mtuze stands as a distinguished luminary in the realm of information governance, cyber law, and digital society transformation. As a venerable member of the South African Information Regulator (SAIR) and the esteemed Films and Publication Appeal Board (FPAB) since 2016 and 2017 respectively, Professor Mtuze wields profound influence in shaping the regulatory landscape and safeguarding digital rights within South Africa.

With a career steeped in academia and public service, Professor Mtuze’s contributions extend far beyond the confines of the classroom. His role as a revered external examiner for Cyber Law/IT Law for LLB and LLM students underscores his commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal minds. As the International Coordinator of the African Centre for Cyberlaw and Crime Prevention (ACCP) based in Kampala, Uganda, Professor Mtuze spearheads initiatives aimed at promoting cyber resilience and legal harmonization across the African continent.

Professor Mtuze’s illustrious tenure on the ICT REVIEW Panel of the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services (DTPS) is marked by his exemplary leadership as the Chair of the E-commerce Committee, later rebranded as the Digital Society, within the Panel sub-committees from 2014 to 2015. Additionally, his invaluable contributions to the National Cyber Security Advisory Council of the DPTS from 2015 to 2017 highlight his unwavering dedication to safeguarding national interests in cyberspace.

An erudite scholar, Professor Mtuze holds a Baccalaureus Legum (LLB) from the prestigious University of Pretoria, with electives in Tax Law and Cyber Law, and an (LLM) from the esteemed University of South Africa (UNISA). Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Law (LLD) at the esteemed University of Fort Hare, Professor Mtuze continues to push the boundaries of legal scholarship and thought leadership.

In recognition of his towering intellect and profound contributions to legal academia, Professor Mtuze has been bestowed with the esteemed title of Adjunct Professor in the Mercantile Law Department of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Law Faculty. With an illustrious career marked by scholarly rigor, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to advancing the frontiers of cyber law and governance, Professor Sizwe Lindelo Snail ka Mtuze stands as a beacon of excellence in the legal fraternity.

JANNIE PRETORIUS
CTO – SECURE CITIZEN

Spending the last few years diving into the world of digital identity and the technology that enables it, Jannie spent the better part of the last 14 years in the Customer Experience space fulfilling roles from developer to consultant and executive. Helping businesses operationalise bleeding edge technology and realise large scale business automation. Having had the privilege of working with largest players in the space from Discovery, BMW, King Price & Miway. Jannie is bringing his unique skillset to practically solving problems in the identity space so that businesses of all sizes can realise the benefits without the complexities that traditionally accompany it.