SITA Appoints Two Executives to Strengthen Leadership and Digital Strategy
Itumeleng Draaijer and Portia Matsena join SITA to drive organizational stability and digital transformation.
1Strategic Leadership Expansion
The State Information Technology Agency has announced the appointment of two new executives to its leadership team. Itumeleng Draaijer will serve as Executive for Strategy and Corporate Services, while Portia Matsena takes on the role of Chief Digital Officer. These appointments are scheduled to become effective starting in November 2026.
2Draaijer's Professional Background
Itumeleng Draaijer brings over two decades of managerial experience to her new role at SITA. Her previous career includes significant leadership positions at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the South African Bureau of Standards, and the National Prosecuting Authority. She also gained extensive operational expertise during her tenure at Accenture.
3Matsena's Digital Expertise
Portia Matsena returns to SITA with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the banking, government, and ICT sectors. Her professional history includes senior roles at Absa, BankservAfrica, and Gijima. She previously worked at SITA, providing her with institutional knowledge that will support her new mandate in driving digital transformation.
4Focus on Digital Transformation
As the new Chief Digital Officer, Matsena will spearhead the agency's digital agenda. This includes the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Her role is central to ensuring that the agency remains capable of serving the government effectively within an increasingly complex and rapidly changing digital era.
5Organizational Stability Goals
Managing Director Magatho Mello emphasized that these appointments are essential for stabilizing the agency. The leadership team is tasked with governing responsibly and executing mandates with discipline. Mello noted that the work of stabilizing SITA is inseparable from the broader goal of preparing the agency to serve the South African government.
6Institutional Confidence Building
The agency aims to deepen accountability and build institutional confidence through these strategic hires. By bringing in executives with proven track records, SITA intends to strengthen its leadership capability. This move is designed to support the government's wider digital transformation efforts while ensuring that technology delivers tangible and practical public value.
7Protecting Digital Interests
Beyond internal management, the new leadership team is responsible for protecting South Africa's digital interests. The agency must ensure that state technology services remain secure and reliable for the public. These appointments reflect a commitment to enabling the state to serve citizens more effectively through improved operational performance and strategic oversight.
8Future Operational Outlook
The integration of these two executives marks a critical phase in SITA's ongoing organizational development. By combining corporate strategy expertise with digital transformation leadership, the agency seeks to address its mandate more robustly. Observers should monitor how these leadership changes influence the agency's service delivery efficiency in the coming years.