1 minute read
Note from the editor
Meaningful firsts
The era of firsts continues, with the 2021 Finance Indaba Conversations being hosted for the first time, with both in-person and live-streaming of the keynote address by former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.
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This was followed by a unique three days of 18 interactive sessions, with leading CFOs providing thought leadership across a diverse range of topics, and from a wide range of industries.
We identified six topics that have been at the forefront of the finance leader's agenda during the pandemic, with insightful thought leadership from an esteemed panel of experts on tech, mentorship, the new accountant, courage under fire, doing good business and taming your robots.
Attendees were provided with breakaway platforms to interact with peers and colleagues and share their business and personal challenges and lessons learnt over the past 18 months.
It was also a first for this humble scribe, who joined the CFO South Africa community in the midst of the hard lockdown of 2020. It has been an inspirational and humbling journey since, from supportive colleagues to one-on-one conversations with inspirational finance leaders, the immersion in CFO South Africa has been the embodiment of community first during a time when many felt isolated and overwhelmed.
It is in these spaces, with other experts and leaders in the field, that we find the safe spaces to converse, network, learn and most of all belong. It is in the memorable conversations that we find our resilience and take comfort in knowing that we do not walk this journey alone.
CFOs from large and small organisations have had to lead their companies and workforce through a trying time, to manage expectations in the C-suite and on the factory floor. It is within these firsts, amid the heat and pressure, that diamonds are formed. So it is, that every finance leader has found a first over the preceding year.
It is with this in mind that we will continue to create successful partnerships, meaningful conversations and resilient communities here at CFO South Africa – both in person and online.
RONDA NAIDU
ASSOCIATE EDITOR RNAIDU@CFO.CO.ZA +27 82 695 9704
